The Saudi Space Commission launches the AX-2 mission

Posted on May 28, 2023 at 01:05 PM

It's a historic moment as Rayyanah Barnawi, the first Arab female astronaut, embarks on her journey to space.

The AX-2 space mission, departing on the 21st of May at 22:37 BST / 21:37 GMT, includes two Saudi astronauts, Rayyanah Barnawi and Ali AlQarni. The mission, which also features Peggy Whitson, a former NASA astronaut now with Axiom, and pilot John Shoffner, involves a team of four astronauts heading to the International Space Station (ISS) to perform innovative scientific research.

The mission lifts off on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, and the astronauts will travel to and from the ISS in a SpaceX Dragon 2 capsule, christened "Freedom." This 12-day journey marks a significant milestone in women's leadership in Saudi Arabia and worldwide. Rayyanah Barnawi sets a record as the first female astronaut to explore space.

On reaching the ISS, the team plans to conduct 14 pioneering microgravity experiments, studying space's effects on human health and rain-seeding technology, which could enhance rainfall in various countries. Alongside the Ministry of Education, educational experiments will be streamed live to 12,000 Saudi students to inspire future scientists and budding astronauts and promote STEM careers among young women and girls.

Rayyanah Barnawi shares, "Space research is a global concern, literally and metaphorically. It needs to encompass voices and viewpoints from diverse nations and individuals. I feel privileged to represent Saudi Arabia's burgeoning contributions to this arena and am proud to be the first Saudi Arabian woman in space. I hope this mission will inspire girls from different backgrounds, who haven't always had such opportunities, to embrace their gifts and knowledge and understand their vital role in progressing human knowledge."

The mission's success is set to elevate Saudi Arabia's stature in space exploration globally and emphasize its contributions to humankind. It will lay a crucial foundation for the astronaut program, designed to nurture future astronauts and engineers through superior education, training programs, involvement in scientific experiments, global research, and future space missions, aligning with Vision 2030 goals.

H.E. Dr Mohammed Al-Tamimi, Governor of the Communications, Space and Technology Commission (CST) and CEO of the Saudi Space Commission (SSC), states, "We envision a bright future in space, one that Saudi Arabia aims to shape collaboratively with the rest of the world. SSC, CST, and the Kingdom are not participating in a space race; instead, we are invested in a collective journey with a clear mission: to enable humanity to tap into the vast potential space offers for the betterment of future generations."