UAE astronaut Sultan AlNeyadi has returned to Earth, concluding his historic six-month mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS). AlNeyadi, along with fellow crew members Nasa astronauts Stephen Bowen and Woody Hoburg, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev, successfully splashed down in the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft near Tampa, Florida, at approximately 8.07am UAE time on September 4th.
The spacecraft deployed parachutes to ensure a gentle splashdown at a speed of 25 feet per second. Sultan AlNeyadi, who became the first Arab to spend half a year aboard the ISS, will be warmly welcomed by his family and a group of well-wishers at the Ellington airport in Houston, US.
The mission's timeline included significant moments such as the re-establishment of communication with ground teams, a communication blackout during re-entry, and the astronauts' preparations for atmospheric re-entry, which involved special spacesuits and closing the spacecraft's structure for improved aerodynamics. The de-orbit burn successfully placed the Dragon on the trajectory towards Jacksonville, Florida, with a target splashdown time of 8.07am UAE time.
The MBRSC team was eagerly awaiting AlNeyadi's return, with key members including astronaut Hazzaa AlMansoori, Astronauts Office Manager, Dr. Hanan Al Suwaidi, AlNeyadi's Flight Surgeon, and Saeed Al Emadi from the Strategic Communication department, MBRSC. This momentous mission marks a significant achievement in the UAE's space exploration endeavors.
Image Source : Astronaut Sultan AlNeyadi's X account