The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is set to send its first female astronaut, Rayyanah Barnawi, and a male astronaut, Ali AlQarni, into space as part of the second all-private astronaut mission to the International Space Station (ISS) in the second quarter of 2023.
The mission, known as the AX-2, will be conducted by Axiom Space and is part of the Saudi Human Spaceflight Program, a joint initiative between the Saudi Space Commission and Axiom Space aimed at training and supporting Saudi astronauts.
According to the Saudi Press Agency, the mission is designed to enhance the Kingdom’s capabilities in human spaceflight and provide new opportunities for the space industry to serve humanity.
The training of two additional astronauts, Mariam Fardous and Ali AlGamdi, will also be included as part of the program to ensure that they are equipped with the necessary skills for their mission.
This historic mission will make Saudi Arabia one of the few countries in the world to have two astronauts from the same nationality aboard the ISS simultaneously.
The space mission will be launched from the United States and will play a critical role in supporting the Kingdom’s efforts to expand its presence in the space industry.
The Saudi Human Spaceflight Program is a significant milestone in the Kingdom’s space exploration efforts, demonstrating its commitment to advancing its space capabilities and contributing to the global community’s efforts to explore space.
The program provides a unique opportunity for Saudi Arabia to showcase its talent and innovation in the field of space exploration, further establishing the Kingdom’s place as a key player in the space industry.