the International Space Station will welcome Saudi astronauts for the first time in its history

Historic first on board the ISS. Saudi Arabia will send two astronauts, including a woman, to the International Space Station (ISS) for the first time in its history. Rayana Barnawi and Ali Al-Qarni will take off during the second quarter of 2023 from the United States, with the aim in particular of “benefit from the promising opportunities offered by the space sector and its industries on a global scale”the official SPA news agency said on Sunday (February 12th).

The world’s largest crude exporter, the ultra-conservative kingdom is seeking to diversify its economy and improve its image through various projects and announcements, particularly in a context of recurring criticism of serious human rights violations. This announcement comes as the Emirati Sultan al-Neyadi will become the first astronaut from an Arab country to spend six months in space. He is due to fly to the ISS on February 26 aboard a SpaceX spacecraft.

Saudi Arabia created the Saudi Space Authority in 2018 and launched a program last year to get astronauts off the ground. These projects were set up as part of the “Vision 2030” plan of the powerful Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the country’s de facto ruler and son of the elderly and ailing King Salman.