On board a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, the Emirati astronaut splashed down off the coast of Florida. Sultan Al Neyadi, an astronaut from the United Arab Emirates, has landed back on Earth following a remarkable six-month mission on the International Space Station.
At 8:17 a.m. UAE time on Monday, a SpaceX Dragon capsule carrying him and three other astronauts splashed down in the Atlantic off the coast of Jacksonville, Florida.
This was the first lengthy mission for the Arab world and the second human space journey for the UAE. It was also the first time an Arab astronaut had gone on a spacewalk.
Welcome back home! After spending 186 days on board the International Space Station, Crew 6 safely splashed down in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Jacksonville, Florida, at 12:17 a.m. ET, according to a statement from NASA on X, formerly known as Twitter.
UAE astronaut Dr. Sultan Al Neyadi was congratulated by President Sheikh Mohamed on his successful return to Earth.
“My son, Sultan Al Neyadi, thank God for your safe return to Earth after the longest Arab mission in space,” President Sheikh Mohamed posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. “You produced a historic Emirati accomplishment with the help of the national work teams and contributed to the advancement of science and humanity. Our aspirations in the field of space are huge and ongoing with all of you.
“Science is our weapon, and our children’s efforts are a resource. God bless you with success.
Dr. Al Neyadi’s accomplishments, according to Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, have motivated millions of young Arabs.
As the first Arab astronaut to complete a lengthy mission to the International Space Station, he stated, “We congratulate the people of the Emirates and all Arab youth on the safe return of Sultan Al Neyadi to planet Earth.”
Splashdown by SpaceX
Before moving the capsule to a recovery ship, a SpaceX crew arrived at the splashdown site on a boat to make sure it was not leaking any hazardous gases.
Engineers unbolted the hatch once the ship had been securely fastened to the SpaceX rescue vessel so the astronauts could leave.
The capsule was opened, and Dr. Al Neyadi and his associates were taken out and put on a gurney-style vehicle.
After stepping out of the capsule, Dr. Al Neyadi was seen grinning and waving to the camera.
Long-term space travelers frequently experience difficulty walking following their return as their bodies adjust to gravity once more.
It can take up to two hours to recover.
Spacetime in time
On board the orbiting outpost, Dr. Al Neyadi conducted more than 200 scientific experiments, including those that NASA and institutions from the UAE assigned.
He also devoted a lot of his time to photographing Earth from the air, concentrating on the Arab nations of the Middle East and North Africa.
As part of the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre’s A Call from Space outreach program, students from all around the United Arab Emirates had live conversations with him. This organization is in charge of running the nation’s astronaut training program.
Mission is still ongoing
Even though Dr. Al Neyadi has returned from space, his work is not yet done because he still needs to collaborate with others to finish the science projects he took part in.
He will give them a report on the work he completed and take part in medical examinations to determine the possible effects of microgravity on his physical and mental health.
Additionally, Dr. Al Neyadi will take part in a required recuperation program that will assist him in readjusting to gravity.
They must exercise for at least two hours every day while in orbit because prolonged space travel can reduce bone density and weaken muscles.
