The first Emirati astronaut will jet off to the International Space Station (ISS) in February next year.
There are now just 18 astronauts in the race to be the first Emirati in space, it was announced on Wednesday. The hunt for the first Emirati, who will jet off to the International Space Station (ISS) in February next year, has now reached its final stage, with the 18 candidates undergoing the final stage of interviews.
This stage of interviews will help the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) choose the first four Emirati astronaut corps of the UAE Astronaut Programme.
Two astronauts from the Emirati corps will be trained in Russia - one primary and one backup. One of them will be joining a crew of Russian commander and an American astronaut in Soyuz MS-12 spaceflight, which is planned to launch to the ISS in April 2019. The others will receive extensive training for future long duration space missions.
Of the 4,000 candidates, the centre had shortlisted 39, who went through the initial interviewing process that included extensive tests to measure intelligence, neurocognitive ability, personality and aptitude, among others. Following these tests, one-to-one interviews were conducted, where the candidates' personalities were evaluated in various mental and psychological aspects to ensure that they are able to endure the harsh and unusual conditions in space.
Yousuf Al Shaibani, Director-General of the MBRSC, said: "We have reached an important stage in the journey of selecting the first Emirati astronaut corps who will participate in scientific missions in space."
Salem Al Marri, Assistant Director General for Scientific and Technical Affairs at the MBRSC, said: "The 18 candidates will undergo the final assessment stage by a committee of highly capable experts from the MBRSC, in addition to international experts from international space agencies."
The UAE Astronaut Programme was launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.
SOURCE : KHALEEJTIMES