First Saudi space mission to launch on May 21 with Kingdom’s first astronauts

The first Saudi space mission is set to launch on May 21, announced the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) on Sunday, as it will take off with the country’s first ever astronauts Ali al-Qarni and Rayyanah Barnawi, the first Arab Muslim female astronaut.

According to the report the two astronauts are set to travel to the International Space Station (ISS). The Saudi mission is set to launch from the U.S. and according to NASA Space Operations it will launch no later than May 21 after delays.

The astronauts will undergo 14 pioneering scientific experiments in microgravity as well as three educational awareness experiments with 12,000 Saudi students via a live feed.

The results should advance the Kingdom’s global position in space exploration as well as support the Saudi research centers.

According to SPA, the Saudi astronauts’ programme launched in September 2022 and is a part of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 goals to advance space research.