RIYADH: Saudi astronauts Ali Al-Qarni and Rayyanah Barnawi have returned to Riyadh, marking the culmination of their groundbreaking scientific mission to the International Space Station (ISS). The astronauts, accompanied by their supporting team members, Mariam Fardous and Ali Al-Ghamdi, were welcomed at King Khalid International Airport by Eng. Abdullah Al-Swaha, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Space Agency, and other officials.
Al-Qarni and Barnawi, part of the AX-2 crew, completed their scientific mission on the ISS, spending approximately 10 days in space before returning to Earth aboard the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft on May 31. The private AX-2 mission, launched by Axiom Space, propelled Barnawi, a breast cancer researcher, to become the first Arab woman to embark on a space mission, while Al-Qarni, a fighter pilot, made history as the second Saudi astronaut to venture into space.
Saudi Astronauts’ Experiments
During their stay aboard the orbiting laboratory, the Saudi astronauts successfully carried out more than 20 STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) outreach engagements, as well as over 20 research studies in microgravity and eight media events. They conducted a total of 14 pioneering scientific experiments, encompassing research in areas such as the brain and nervous system, immune cells, and water seeding technology.
The Saudi Space Agency emphasized that the results obtained from the experiments conducted by Barnawi and Al-Qarni would contribute to the betterment of humanity and further bolster Saudi Arabia’s position in the field of space and its scientific endeavors. The agency highlighted that the mission’s achievements would have a lasting impact, benefiting both the nation and global scientific communities.
The successful completion of this historic mission by the Saudi astronauts represents a significant milestone for the country’s burgeoning space program. Their dedication, expertise, and groundbreaking research contribute to the ongoing advancements in space exploration and pave the way for future generations of Saudi astronauts to make their mark on the scientific frontier.
