Saudi astronauts depart space station, to splashdown in Atlantic Ocean

Image credit: Twitter/Astro_Rayyanah

Saudi astronauts Rayyanah Barnawi and Ali al-Qarni have departed from the International Space Station after completing their 10-day mission. The two astronauts bid farewell to the crew aboard the ISS as they began their journey to return to Earth.

The Saudi Space Commission (SSC) announced the successful separation of the spacecraft carrying the two Saudi astronauts from the ISS at 6:50pm Gulf time. The ISS confirmed the undocking of the SpaceX Dragon Freedom spacecraft from the space station. The spacecraft is set to land in the waters of the Atlantic Ocean on Wednesday morning.

#ICYMI: The @SpaceX Dragon Freedom spacecraft, with four #Ax2 astronauts from @Axiom_Space aboard, undocked from the station at 11:05am ET on Tuesday. More… https://t.co/7Z1qQlk0sC pic.twitter.com/SU8ODP4W1r

— International Space Station (@Space_Station) May 30, 2023

Saudi astronauts on a mission

The duo departed from the space station after successfully accomplishing the objectives of the kingdom’s scientific mission. The primary aim of the space mission was to contribute to scientific research, leveraging the opportunities provided by the global space sector and its industries while also developing national capabilities in manned spaceflights, as per state news agency SPA.

The Saudi astronauts are being accompanied back to Earth with their team which includes astronauts Peggy Whitson and John Shoffner. The departing members participated in an official farewell ceremony organised by the ISS crew to bid farewell to the Ax-2 mission team.

Barnawi and al-Qarni thanked the ISS crew for their support and cooperation throughout their journey, which helped the new members to carry out their planned mission successfully. Barnawi became the first Arab woman in space with this foray aboard the ISS. As the farewell ceremony concluded, the Saudi astronauts took commemorative photos with the ISS crew.

كلمات الوداع في نهاية رحلتنا العلمية #نحو_الفضاء ?
دموع الفرح والإنجاز هي الختام فالحمدلله على التمام??

“Every story comes to an end, and this is only the beginning of a new era for our country and our region.. thanks to everyone who have helped us” ??
BYE @Space_Station ?… pic.twitter.com/XxQnGB9hXx

— RAYYANAH BARNAWI (@Astro_Rayyanah) May 30, 2023

UAE astronaut Sultan AlNeyadi bid farewell to the Saudi astronauts. He posted a group photograph on Twitter saying he would “miss speaking Arabic on the ISS.”

Safe travels #Ax2 crew ??????
It was a pleasure working with all of you and we have made great memories.@AstroAli11 and @Astro_Rayyanah, I will surely miss speaking Arabic aboard the ISS.
Adieu for now, and may our paths cross again ? pic.twitter.com/khM2wQvLzu

— Sultan AlNeyadi (@Astro_Alneyadi) May 30, 2023

Rayyanah Barnawi and Ali al-Qarni were the first Saudi astronauts to go to space in nearly 40 years, after Prince Sultan bin Salman launched on a NASA’s space shuttle in 1985 for a week-long trip.

With the completion of the Saudi astronauts’ mission aboard the ISS, the kingdom embarks on a new phase of space exploration and investment in specialised sciences. The programme aims to align with the ambitious goals of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 in advancing the domestic space industry.