Trailblazing Emirati Woman Chosen for UAE’s Next Astronaut Mission

H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, declared the identities of two new Emirati astronauts who will comprise the second cohort of the UAE Astronaut Program, also announcing the inclusion of the inaugural female Arab astronaut.

“Today we reveal two new Emirati astronauts, including the first female Arab astronaut – Nora AlMatrooshi and Mohammed Al Mulla. They were chosen from over 4,000 candidates, and their training will soon commence for international space missions. We congratulate the nation on this achievement. We rely on them to elevate the UAE’s reputation in space even further,” stated Sheikh Mohammed.

The two newly selected astronauts will join Hazzaa AlMansoori and Sultan AlNeyadi, forming a quartet under the UAE Astronaut Program, aligning with the strategy of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) to achieve the UAE leadership’s visionary goals and position the nation as a frontrunner in the aerospace sector, as reported by Emirates’ news agency WAM.

The second cohort of the UAE Astronaut Program showcases the first Arab female astronaut, Nora AlMatrooshi, who earned her bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the UAE University in 2015 and boasts years of engineering experience. AlMatrooshi distinguished herself in engineering and mathematics during her studies, achieving first place for the UAE in the 2011 International Mathematical Olympiad and representing the UAE at the Youth Conference at the United Nations in both summer 2018 and winter 2019.

The other astronaut in this second cohort is Mohammed Al Mulla, who, at just 19, acquired a commercial pilot’s license from the Australian Civil Aviation Authority, earning the title of the youngest pilot in Dubai Police. He later cemented another record by becoming the youngest trainer within the organization at 28, after receiving his pilot trainer license from the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA). Alongside his aviation career, he obtained a bachelor’s degree in Law and Economics in 2015 and an Executive Master of Public Administration from the Mohammed Bin Rashid School of Government in 2021.

Currently, Al Mulla serves as the Head of the Training Department at the Air Wing Centre of Dubai Police. He has been honored with the Bravery Medal from H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and the Commander in Chief Award for the Best Officer in a Specialized Field, in addition to receiving the Dubai Police Global Excellence Award.

Future missions for Emirati astronauts will afford the scientific and global community new knowledge, supporting the growth of the Arab space industry and contributing to a brighter future for humanity.

The unveiling of the second astronaut cohort exemplifies the forward-thinking vision of the leadership in cultivating a knowledge-driven economy within a smart society grounded in technological innovation and scientific inquiry, shaping the journey towards UAE Centennial 2071.

The UAE’s national space sector has attracted investments exceeding AED22 billion (US$6 billion) in recent years, with astronaut selection being a central initiative driving this sector’s growth.

The two new astronauts are set to join the “2021 NASA Astronaut Candidate Class” as part of a strategic partnership between the UAE and the United States, training at NASA’s Johnson Space Center.

The Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre initiated registration for the second cohort of the UAE Astronaut Program in December 2019, open to all UAE nationals aged 18 and above, fluent in Arabic and English, and university graduates. The program aims to seamlessly prepare and train Emiratis for space exploration through various scientific missions.

Hazzaa AlMansoori and Sultan AlNeyadi were selected from the inaugural cohort of the UAE Astronaut Program. AlMansoori’s eight-day mission to the International Space Station, held from 25th September to 3rd October 2020, included the execution of 30 scientific experiments.

The UAE Astronaut Program is among the initiatives managed by the UAE’s National Space Program and is supported by the ICT Fund of the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA), which seeks to bolster research and development in the ICT sector in the UAE and enhance the nation’s global standing.