His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince, Prime Minister and Chairman of the Supreme Space Council, today received Saudi astronauts Rayana Bernavi, Ali Al-Qarni, Maryam Firdous and Ali Al-Ghamdi ahead of the launch of the Kingdom’s science ship. flight to the International Space Station with the first Saudi female astronaut on board, as well as Arab Muslim Rayana Bernawi and Ali Al-Qarni, who is also the first Saudi astronaut to reach the International Space Station on a flight scheduled to begin next May of the year. His Highness the Crown Prince congratulated the astronauts on their successful completion of the qualification program, noting the role of the space sector as one of the sectors contributing to the increase of the Kingdom’s international competitiveness and the importance of space exploration in the service of science and humanity.
During his speech to the astronauts, His Highness the Crown Prince affirmed that they represent the ability and aspirations of the people of Saudi Arabia to contribute to innovation and space research to find sustainable solutions for the benefit of mankind. His Highness also mentioned the high expectations placed on Astronaut Ryan Bernavie and astronaut Ali Al-Karni. As ambassadors and representatives of the homeland on the International Space Station on a mission with lofty goals to empower people, protect the planet and open up new horizons through a team of research that the astronauts will conduct in the field of health and environmental sustainability, wishing them success in their mission and safe return home.
While the astronauts expressed their pride in meeting with His Highness the Crown Prince and Chairman of the Supreme Space Council and thanking him for His Highness’ continued support, Astronaut Ryan Burnavie and Astronaut Ali Al-Karni confirmed their full readiness for this historic event. mission, hoping to make a mark on the field of space and enrich scientific experiments that serve humanity, while astronauts Mariam Firdows and Ali Al-Ghamdi, who will be assigned tasks at the Earth Station, to help astronauts Ryan Bernavi and Ali Al-Karni during this scientific mission confirmed their pride and arrogance.
This historic space flight confirms the Kingdom’s commitment to supporting space exploration efforts, encouraging practical research in the field, and strengthening the role of citizens in space programs and science and technology to achieve the goals of the Kingdom’s 2030 Strategy, which aims to highlight the role of Kingdoms in the space sector and its technologies.