On Sunday, NASA, SpaceX, Exim Space and the Saudi Space Authority jointly launched a rocket to the International Space Station on a special mission. In this historic mission, two astronauts of Saudi Arabia, Rayana Barnawi and Ali Qarni, were also present.
The “Falcon 9” missile developed by SpaceX was launched from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, USA. The missile also carried former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson and American businessman John Shoffner.
Saudi Space Authority Adviser Engineer Mashael Al-Shamri expressed his confidence in the implementation of the scientific mission of astronauts Riyana Barnawi and Ali Al-Qarni upon their arrival at the International Space Station and said that this is a historic moment for Saudi Arabia and the entire Arab world. His trip is a source of inspiration for Saudi and Arab youth in the region.
When Rayyana Barnawi flies off into space aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket, she will set history by becoming the first female Muslim astronaut. Barnawi will be accompanied by fellow Saudi native Ali Al-Qarni, a fighter jet pilot in Saudi Arabia, to become the second and third Saudi Arabians to fly into space.
Rayyana Barnawi is a 33-year-old biomedical researcher and she will be part of the upcoming Saudi Arabian space mission. Barnawi completed her Bachelor’s in Biomedical Sciences (ReGD) from Otago University, New Zealand. She did her Master’s in Biomedical Sciences at Riyadh’s Alfaisal University. Barnawi has over nine years of experience in cancer stem cell research. She will be responsible for conducting mission experiments during her stint aboard the International Space Station.
