UAE names 2 astronauts to go to International Space Station

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – The ruler of Dubai has announced the names of two astronauts from the United Arab Emirates who will be heading to the International Space Station, a first for the Gulf nation.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who also serves as the UAE’s vice-president and prime minister, made the announcement on Monday on Twitter.

Sheikh Mohammed named the astronauts as Hazza al-Mansouri and Sultan al-Nayadi. Their missions are scheduled for next year.

The UAE has a fledgling space program with big ambitions. It hopes to launch its first locally made satellite, KhalifaSat, in October from Japan. It also wants to launch a probe to Mars in 2020.

The UAE says it wants to colonize Mars by 2117, with a fully functioning city of 600,000.

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