Official Portrait of United Arab Emirates astronauts, Nora AlMatrooshi and Mohammad AlMulla. Photo Date: March 7, 2022. Location: Building 8, Room 183 - Photo Studio. Photographer: Robert Markowitz

In a historic moment for the UAE’s space ambitions, astronauts Nora AlMatrooshi (the first Emirati female astronaut) and Mohammad AlMulla are poised to graduate from NASA’s rigorous training program, signaling a significant leap in the nation’s space exploration efforts.

Nora AlMatrooshi and Mohammad AlMulla, from the second batch of the UAE Astronaut Program make history as they graduate from the 2021 NASA Astronaut Candidate Class training program on March 5 at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, USA. Embarking on an intensive training journey since January 2022, AlMatrooshi and AlMulla have undergone rigorous preparation spanning over two years, equipping them with vital skills for future spaceflight assignments. From spacewalking to T-38 jet proficiency, their training encompassed a comprehensive array of critical skills essential for astronauts.

Speaking of her experiences to WIRED Middle East, AlMatrooshi says, “I think there are several moments that have had an impact. The first being when I first got into a T-38 and went supersonic. Going that fast was an amazing experience. The second was the first time I got into the suit and got into the water in the fuel Buoyancy Lab where I could see the mockup of the ISS and feel almost exactly how it feels like to be outside of the station and conducting a spacewalk.”

AlMulla adds on saying that, “One of my favorite challenges through the last two years was the difference in the culture between our culture back in UAE and US culture, there is a big difference between that and as I go with the training, I’ve been learning a lot about the culture here in Houston, which really amazed me was in Johnson Space Center they teach all the colleagues about their cultures, and also we had a session to express our cultures to our colleagues.”

The graduation ceremony marks the culmination of their arduous journey and will see the two candidates awarded an astronaut pin, symbolizing their readiness for future space missions. AlMatrooshi, also the first female Arab astronaut, alongside AlMulla, will join ten NASA candidates as they step into the next phase of their space exploration careers.

Selected in 2021 by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, AlMatrooshi and AlMulla emerged from a rigorous selection process that sifted through 4,305 applicants, underscoring the UAE’s commitment to advancing its space ambitions. The UAE Astronaut Program, managed by the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC), stands as a cornerstone project under the UAE’s National Space Program, funded by the ICT Fund of the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA).

“After graduation, well, I would love to set my footprint following my colleagues Hazza Al Mansouri and Sultan Al Neyadi after their missions to the space station. Also, the UAE set its foot in space by contributing to the Artemis program by delivering the airlock. The future is bright for the UAE and being part of that is really a pleasure. Here in Houston, they trust us, as UAE astronauts, that we will do our best in any mission that we are assigned. And I would love to be part of a generation in the future that represents my country as best as they can,” says AlMulla.

As a graduate of one of the most demanding courses in the world, AlMatrooshi had the following advice for young people interested in a career in space exploration, “Look for opportunities and make sure that you’re ready for them. Work on making sure you have the skills you need, the support system that you need, and then go after those opportunities and make new ones for yourself and for other people,” she says.

Since its inception in 2006, the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) has played a pivotal role in nurturing the UAE’s space exploration aspirations. From launching Earth observation satellites like DubaiSat-1, DubaiSat-2, and KhalifaSat to developing the upcoming MBZ-SAT, MBRSC has been at the forefront of driving innovation in space technology. With projects like the Emirates Airlock and Emirates Lunar Mission underway, the UAE’s footprint in space exploration continues to expand, positioning the nation as a prominent player in the global space arena. As UAE astronauts embark on new missions and milestones, the nation’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of space exploration remains unwavering.

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