The Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) announced the successful undocking of Crew-6, including astronaut Sultan AlNeyadi, from the International Space Station (ISS). This marks the start of their return journey after a 6-month space mission.
The Dragon Endeavour spacecraft, carrying Sultan AlNeyadi and fellow crew members, autonomously undocked from the ISS at 3:05 PM (UAE time) and is now on a safe trajectory back to Earth.
Hamad Obaid AlMansoori, Chairman of MBRSC, highlighted the significance of Sultan’s mission and the UAE’s commitment to innovation and international collaboration.
Salem Humaid AlMarri, Director General of MBRSC, emphasized the meticulous execution of every phase of the mission and the anticipation of Sultan’s return.
The spacecraft will undergo orbit-lowering maneuvers and jettison its trunk before the deorbit burn, leading to a gentle splashdown off the coast of Tampa, Florida in the Gulf of Mexico on September 4th.
The UAE Astronaut Programme, managed by MBRSC under the UAE’s National Space Programme, is supported by the ICT Fund of the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) to promote research and development in the UAE’s ICT sector and enhance the country’s global integration in space exploration.