[Test] First UAE Astronaut in Space

Received by NSD/FARA Registration Unit 09/26/2019 10:58:01 AM

Hagir Elawad Thu, Sep 26, 2019 at 10:39 AM Reply-To: Hagir Elawad

Good morning Colleagues,

Yesterday, Hazzaa AIMansoori traveled to the International Space Station, becoming the first Emirati astronaut in space. Alongside US and Russian astronauts, he is conducting an eiaht-dav mission, during which he will carry out 15 experiments on behalf of the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Center. He will also give a broadcasted tour of the ISS in Arabic for viewers on Earth.

During AIMansoori’s mission, live updates will be available via the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Center.

“[AIMansoori and his alternate Sultan AINeyadi] would fit perfectly into any astronaut or cosmonaut core that we have already, which is really quite an achievement given that their program is so new and given the training that they've received,” said American astronaut Jessica Meir in a press conference prior to their departure. “I think for us as astronauts, the similarities are more important than the differences, and that's what's so nice when we are all working together as a team.”

Next year, following AIMansoori’s mission to the ISS, the UAE plans to launch the “Hope” probe to Mars. The UAE Space Agency is collaborating with NASA to develop its space program, and last October the two agencies signed an agreement outlining opportunities for collaboration in research and manned space exploration.

In addition to contributing to space science, the UAE’s space program is designed to encourage young people in the UAE and throughout the Middle East region to pursue careers in science and engineering. This ambitious program is in line with the UAE’s positive, forward-looking vision that seeks to inspire young people, and provide them with education, opportunity and hope for a better future.

The article below provides more perspective on this significant step forward for

Received by N SD/F ARA Registration Unit 09/26/2019 10:58:01 AM Received by NSD/FARA Registration Unit 09/26/2019 10:58:01 AM the UAE's space program. As always, please reach out if you have questions or would like to further discuss.

~Hagir

The UAE has a new hero: thousands cheer on Hazza Al Mansouri at parties across the country

The National October 25, 2019

Thousands of people turned out across the UAE to watch Hazza Al Mansouri make history by becoming the first Emirati in space.

School pupils, students, space enthusiasts and family were among the throngs of people who marked his date with destiny.

Close to a thousand people streamed into Abu Dhabi’s National Exhibition Centre alone on Wednesday to watch an emotion-filled live stream of the historic launch.

Chief among them was none other than Maj Al Mansouri’s younger sister, Shamsa.

“We look up to him,” Ms Al Mansouri told The National. “He made the impossible dream a reality.” Crowds of well-wishers surrounded Ms Al Mansouri as she made her way into the venue. “He has inspired everyone and now we can do anything,” she said. “I will follow his lead.”

Well before the successful 5.57pm blast-off time, the atmosphere began to build inside the venue. Huge video screens showed a montage of Maj Al Mansouri’s journey from fighter pilot to astronaut and the venue erupted every time he appeared on screen.

“Hazza was picked from thousands,” said Abdullah Al Naqbia, 21, an engineering student at Abu Dhabi Polytechnic who came for the launch. “Now I will study this field and send the next Emirati astronaut to space,” he said, with not a shred of doubt in his mind.

Across the country it was a similar story. Thousands of people watched in awe inside a dome at the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre. People waved UAE flags with wild enthusiasm and many youngsters dressed up as astronauts - the

Received by NSD/FARA Registration Unit 09/26/2019 10:58:01 AM Received by NSD/FARA Registration Unit 09/26/2019 10:58:01 AM clearest indication yet that the UAE has a new hero. And when the Soyuz rocket blasted off, all the venues erupted in a wave of raw and powerful emotion.

The country's rulers were among the first to offer their congratulations.

"Hazza Al Mansouri's entry to space sends a message to Arab youth that we can march forward and keep pace with the rest of the world," said Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai.

"Our next station is Mars through the Hope Probe, competently designed by our Emirati youth."

Sharing his thoughts on Twitter, Sheikh Mohammed reflected on how far the country has come since he and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, launched the UAE Astronaut Programme two years ago.

"Today, we celebrate the historic flight of the first Emirati Astronaut to the International Space Station. An Emirati achievement we take pride in and dedicate to Muslim and Arab nations."

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed said he too proudly watched Hazza Al Mansouri lift off into space.

"His event strengthens our confidence in our youth who will take our nation to new heights and reinforces our ambitions for the future. We pray for Hazza’s success and his safe return home." he said on Twitter.

“We worked so hard to reach this stage,” said MBRSC engineer Hamad Al Blooshi, who brought his three-year-old daughter Maryam - decked out in in a blue space uniform with the name tag “future astronaut” - to watch the live stream at the space centre.

“We hope this is just the start and we look ahead to many more moments like this,” he said.

Amer Al Ghafri, project manager for the KhalifaSat satellite that was manufactured at MBRSC, and launched into space on a five-year mission last October, said the whole of humanity would benefit.

“We want to say to the world that the UAE is playing a key role in the scientific research that’s happening in space,” he said. “The UAE’s efforts will come back to benefit all of the people of Earth.”

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It was not just the scientific community, though, that was basking in the glow of Maj Al Mansouri’s success. Emirati Khalifa Beloul, 14, had a front row seat at the MBRSC.

“This is so incredible and exciting,” said the Dubai teenager. “It is my dream. I have always wanted to be an astrophysicist and he is an inspiration.”

University of Sharjah student Alya Alsbouli, 20, said the mission was a proud moment for all Emiratis. “Sheikh Zayed always wanted this to happen and now it finally has. It has made the whole country happy,” said the engineering student. “I can’t wait now to see what happens next when Hazza arrives at the station.”

But it was an excitement tempered with the enormity of what happened. Space travel is fraught with risk and only a few years ago, the UAE did not even have a space agency. Thabet Al Qaissieh, an Emirati astronomer who runs the Al Sadeem observatory in Al Wathba, said it was hard to comprehend how far the UAE had come.

“Every part of me reacted as if I was going to space. Hazza is truly representing all of us,” said Mr Al Qaissieh. “Just thinking of how we were a few decades ago and what we are today is amazing. It gives me goosebumps."

He said the mission could ignite a scientific revolution in the country.

“Children that watched the launch will realise that becoming an astronaut is a reality they saw happen with their own eyes. Not words in books," said Mr Al Qaissieh. “Today marks our first step into the shores of the vastness of the cosmic ocean.”

And this was already being borne out as when the crowds made their way to their exits, there was a slight delay as dozens of children and students made a beeline buy replica astronauts and MBRSC jackets.

When the last Arab astronaut blasted off to space in 1987, Sheikh Zayed was still President. It was his dream that the UAE would someday send one of its own into orbit.

And after watching Maj Al Mansouri make that dream a reality, it was hard not to think of the Founding President smiling down from the stars.

Ms. Hagir H. Elawad Principal UAE Strategies [email protected] (202) 770-7872

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Received by NSD/FARA Registration Unit 09/26/2019 10:58:01 AM