Wearing a blue space suit with a UAE flag on one sleeve and a spaceship on the other, the first Emirati astronaut said Tuesday his mission highlighted a crucial issue -- climate change.

Witnessing Earth and its beauty from space made him realise the importance of preserving it, said Hazzaa al-Mansoori, a 35-year-old former military pilot who reached the International Space Station in September.

"We have to appreciate the planet and make sure that we save it for the next generations," said the father-of-four, urging efforts to address "the reasons behind climate change".

Mansoori became the first Arab astronaut to visit the ISS and returned home to a hero's welcome after an eight-day mission, during which he participated in scientific experiments including a time-perception study.

His space trip has become a source of great pride in the UAE, a newcomer with ambitions to send an unmanned probe to orbit Mars by 2021.

In a Dubai hall swarming with journalists, Mansoori recounted the magic of his trip.

"When you see our planet from space... it's really something amazing and a spectacular view," he said. "I spent a lot of time looking out that window, I didn't even want to sleep."

Mansoori said living in space showed him that life on Earth was "a blessing".

"It is really difficult to live in space, we have to provide a lot of oxygen, air and food... and we have all of this here for free," he said.

- 'Lucky to live here' -

The five-year period ending 2019 is set to be the hottest ever, said a UN report published in September, scientists' latest grim reminder that climate change is already a reality.

Last month was the hottest October ever recorded worldwide, according to data released by the European Union's satellite monitoring service.

"We are lucky to live here -- let us protect the Earth and its atmosphere," said Mansoori.

On board the ISS, Mansoori, who was selected from more than 4,000 UAE candidates, donned Emirati dress and treated crew members to his country's snacks.

He flew to the station after the UAE signed a contract with Russian space agency Roscosmos to make him a "spaceflight participant", a term used for people from outside the main space agencies who take short trips to the ISS.

As part of its space plans, the UAE has announced its aim to become the first Arab country to send an unmanned probe to orbit Mars by 2021, naming it "Hope".

"It's the golden age for space exploration in the UAE," said Salem al-Marri, of the UAE's Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre.

mah/dm/fz

ISS A/S

Related Links
Space Tourism, Space Transport and Space Exploration News

Tweet

Thanks for being here; We need your help. The Space Media Network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain. With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords. Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year. If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceMediaNetwork Contributor $5 Billed Once credit card or paypal		SpaceMediaNetwork Monthly Supporter $5 Billed Monthly paypal only

Boeing tests space crew capsule, reports problem with parachute
Washington (AFP) Nov 5, 2019
Boeing said Monday it carried out a successful test of its Starliner crew capsule that is supposed to take US astronauts to the International Space Station, even though one of three main parachutes designed to ease it back to earth failed to deploy. The test took place in the New Mexico desert at the White Sands Missile Range and lasted around 95 seconds. The Starliner was set on a small launch pad with four engines to simulate an emergency in which the capsule - attached to the top of a rocket ... read more