Sultan Al Neyadi Returns to Earth After a Mission of a Lifetime
UAE astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi, along with three others, successfully concluded their historic 186-day mission on the International Space Station.
- The Crew-6 team’s return to Earth marked the end of a 17-hour journey, encompassing meticulous preparations that began days before their anticipated return.
- Al Neyadi, who made history as the first Arab astronaut to perform a spacewalk during this mission, is expected to receive a hero’s welcome upon his return to the UAE.
UAE astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi, accompanied by three others, splashed down in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Jacksonville, Florida, at 8:17 A.M. UAE time on September 4th after 186 days of research and space exploration aboard the International Space Station (ISS).
The Crew-6 team’s return to Earth was a culmination of a 17-hour journey, during which they underwent several crucial steps to ensure a safe arrival. The crew, which included astronauts Stephen Bowen and Woody Hoburg, as well as Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev, had commenced their preparations days before their anticipated return.
The astronauts donned their SpaceX spacesuits inside the Dragon spacecraft, which then undocked from the ISS. Once at a safe distance, the spacecraft accelerated to an astonishing speed of 28,800 kilometers per hour as it encircled the Earth’s orbit.
As they descended, the trunk was detached from the Dragon spacecraft, and the spacecraft’s speed decreased dramatically to approximately 560 kilometers per hour for a smoother landing. The crew then deployed their parachutes just before the capsule touched down in the Atlantic Ocean, minimizing the impact.
The capsule and crew retrieval were successful, using a specialized vessel assisted by the support vessel Megan. The astronauts were carefully extracted from the capsule and were then flown to NASA’s facility in Florida. Once there, they underwent thorough medical checks by specialists before reuniting with their families.
Sultan Al Neyadi, who made history during this mission as the first Arab astronaut to perform a spacewalk, is expected to receive a hero’s welcome upon his return to the UAE after undergoing medical evaluations in the US. His accomplishments have already inspired the Arab youth and earned him accolades from leaders such as UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai.
During the mission, Al Neyadi shared In an X post a picture of Beirut, Lebanon, from an altitude of approximately 409 kilometers. And while everyone showered him with love and gratitude, some commented on the heartbreaking damage the city sustained following the August 4th explosion.
While Sultan Al Neyadi’s journey may have concluded, his mission is far from over.
Al Neyadi will continue to collaborate with researchers to complete scientific investigations conducted during his time in space, and he will also participate in medical tests to assess the impact of microgravity on his physical and mental health.
Inside Telecom provides you with an extensive list of content covering all aspects of the tech industry. Keep an eye on our Tech sections to stay informed and up-to-date with our daily articles.