“Our vision, which started 12 years ago, is starting to bear fruit…”

In a historic agreement made today, the first ever UAE astronaut is being sent to the International Space station.

Announced in a series of tweets, HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, vice president and prime minister of the UAE and ruler of Dubai said that it would happen ‘in the coming months’, and added that ‘our vision, which started 12 years ago, is starting to bear fruit’.

Sheikh Mohammed went on to cite the UAE’s further work in the field, referencing the manufacture of the Mars probe & the first national satellite manufacturing complex, and the training of Emirati astronauts.

“In 2021, we will celebrate 50 years of our union when we will gift our achievements to future generations,” the Dubai ruler concluded.

The training of Emirati astronauts comes as part of the UAE astronaut program. First launched in December of last year by Sheikh Mohammed, more than 4000 Emiratis apply to take part.

After a rigorous selection process, four finalists will be chosen to form part of a team of UAE Astronauts expected to head into space by 2021, joining the ranks of the first UAE astronaut who will make his space debut this year.

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