The UAE is the first country in the MENA region to host this conference, from 11th to 14th November, 2019.
Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre, MBRSC, launched the 22nd edition of the International Academy of Astronautics, IAA, Humans in Space Symposium, HIS, at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.
The first day witnessed huge participation from local and international space agencies, and students from different educational levels.
The opening ceremony was attended by Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori, Chairman of the MBRSC, Yousuf Hamad Al Shaibani, Director General of the MBRSC, Jean-Michel Contant, Secretary General of the IAA, Jean-Yves Le Gall, President of CNES, the French space agency, Salem Al Marri, Head of the UAE Astronaut Programme and Member of the IAA, Hazzaa Al Mansoori and Sultan Al Neyadi, the two Emirati astronauts, in addition to senior officials and experts in the space sector, major space agencies, and employees from MBRSC.
HIS 2019 discusses multidisciplinary studies of humans in space, the journey of UAE’s first human space flight mission, biology and biotechnology in space, the latest research and developments in the field and exchanging new experiences and ideas to contribute to enriching life in space, with the participation of leading space agencies.
MBRSC presented awards to the UAE Armed Forces, the Event’s Security Committee, the ICT fund of the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority, TRA, the UAE Space Agency, the University of Dubai, the Mohammed Bin Rashid University Of Medicine and Health Sciences, the Emirates Radio Amateur Society, Etihad Airways, Emirates Post, and Dr. Hanan Al Suwaidi, a flight surgeon.
The awards were given as a token of appreciation for the entities that contributed in the success of the first Emirati astronaut’s mission to space, under the slogan ‘Zayed’s Ambition’.
Hazzaa Al Mansoori, the first Emirati astronaut, and Sultan Al Neyadi, took part in day 1 of IAA’s HIS 2019, where they highlighted the UAE’s success in the space sector, and the challenges they faced while preparing for the mission.
Al Mansoori and Al Neyadi also discussed their future plans and ambitions for the UAE’s future human space flights, and ways to sustain the UAE Astronaut Programme.
