Marhaba Sultan of Space: The United Arab Emirates salutes its space hero, astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi, on his return home

Here’s how we follow Al Neyadi’s journey back to Abu Dhabi from Houston, USA, after two weeks of rehabilitation following his six-month stay in space.

During the press conference it was clear that the sultan of space will set his eyes on the Moon. When asked about his personal preference for going to the Moon, he said: “I see myself as an astronaut ready to take on any mission. Personally I would love to go to the Moon and if possible go to Mars. “I don’t think it will happen before with respect to Mars.”

He highlighted that the United Arab Emirates has signed the Artemis Accords for the safe and peaceful exploration of the Moon. “This is the biggest step. “We all know the gateway,” he said, referring to the Lunar Gateway, NASA’s planned space station that will orbit the Moon. The United Arab Emirates is part of the Gateway.

“So I would love to go there. “I would love to be a part of this… It also depends on the opportunity and suitability for the mission.”

But tonight, back on Earth, his immediate priority is to get a good night’s sleep after spending some quality time with his family, especially his kids.

Al Neyadi answered several other questions related to his mission and shared the insights he gained from his deep experience. He highlighted the importance of the experiments he conducted and the need to protect planet Earth and live in peace.

Al Neyadi has just arrived for the press conference. He is accompanied by Salem Humaid Al Marri, Director General of MBRSC, Hazzaa Al Mansoori and Saud Karmustaji, Director of Strategic Communications of MBRSC. The journalists received him with loud applause. Before his arrival at the press conference venue, a video showing special moments of the Sultan’s mission was shown.

The father of six is ​​now seen holding one of his children as he walked through the large crowd celebrating his achievements.

Many people who gathered to celebrate the space hero’s achievements also took the opportunity to take selfies with him.

Al Neyadi has been welcomed with a white garland and receives hugs and handshakes from students and members of the Emirati community.

Proud students wave UAE flags to welcome the space hero who made the entire country proud of him.

Cheers and applause are heard as students, officials and other guests welcome Sultan to a special area where a grand welcoming ceremony takes place. Arabic dances and songs are performed while welcoming the Sultan of Space.

The President and Vice President posed for a group photograph with Al Neyadi, his children, Hazzaa Al Mansoori and a large group of MBRSC officials. Applause followed as the leaders appreciated the great teamwork behind the great success of Al Neyadi’s historic mission.

In a touching gesture, both leaders are seen escorting Sultan Al Neyadi as he left the VIP room where he was received.

Sultan Al Neyadi sits proudly between the two leaders during the grand reception hosted at Terminal A of Abu Dhabi International Airport. He is now seen talking to the leaders while his children and his father are sitting next to them.

The ceremony will also be attended by several senior officials from various departments.

President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai, welcomed Al Neyadi upon his arrival at Terminal A from Abu Dhabi International Airport.

The flag he presented to the President is the one he took to the International Space Station. This is now a tradition that UAE astronauts are proud of, as the first Emirati astronaut, Hazzaa Al Mansoori, also did the same upon his arrival after an eight-day expedition to the ISS in 2019.

Sultan had an emotional reunion with some of his children and his father as soon as he got off the plane. The father of six was seen hugging three of his children tightly while holding little astronaut Suhail, MBRSC’s toy mascot, which he had brought with him during the mission.

A large group of media personnel, including representatives of Gulf News, are waiting to hear from Al Neyadi after the official welcome ceremony. He is expected to address the media along with Salem Humaid Al Marri, Director General of MBRSC and Hazzaa Al Mansoori.

The special plane flying in Al Neyadi landed at Abu Dhabi International Terminal A. It will be out soon.

The United Arab Emirates opened a new airport terminal in Abu Dhabi to welcome the space hero. Abu Dhabi International Terminal A, which is expected to open later this year, had a special arrival on Monday.

The ‘Sultan of Space’ will arrive from Houston to the elegant new terminal on an official plane sent by the government of the United Arab Emirates.

The Terminal A facilities have been adorned with billboards and large screens displaying images of Al Neyadi and messages about his historic return home.

Hundreds of people from different walks of life, including students, have been invited to attend the grand reception. The atmosphere has been optimistic and attendees eagerly await the arrival of their space hero. Many were seen taking group photos and selfies with photos of Al Neyadi on the screens.

Arabic songs and drums echoed in the arrivals hall hours before Al Neyadi’s arrival. Various cultural programs including traditional Emirati songs and dances have been scheduled to welcome Al Neyadi.