Abu Dhabi, UAE (CU)_ The Gulf country is showing increased interest in expanding its space sector in order to diversify its economy. As a result, the United Arab Emirates has taken a step forward and has chosen the first Arab woman to train as an astronaut. The 27-year-old Nora al-Matrooshi, an Emirati citizen who works at Abu Dhabi’s National Petroleum Construction Company and a mechanical engineering graduate, has been chosen for NASA’s 2021 Astronaut Candidate Class in the United States.
The United Arab Emirates is focusing on its space initiatives to improve its science and technological potentiality while also reducing its dependence on oil. A UAE probe entered Mars’ orbit in February, marking the Arab’s first interplanetary mission. By 2024, the UAE hopes to launch a moon rover, and by 2117, it hopes to create a Mars settlement.
Matrooshi will also be accompanied by Mohammed al-Mulla, an Emirati, which makes the total number of UAE Astronaut Program participants to four. The team also include Hazza al-Mansouri, who traveled to the International Space Station in 2019 and was the first Emirati to reach space. According to the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) in Dubai, Nora emerged as the winner from 4,300 applicants who were evaluated based on their scientific skills, qualifications, and practical experience, as well as physical, psychological, and medical analysis.
In 2017, the UAE established a National Space Program to foster domestic expertise. Its population of 9.4 million people, the majority of whom are foreign employees, lacks the technological and industrial foundation that the major spacefaring nations have. With the inclusion of a woman in the space mission initiative, the Arab nation is also promoting gender equality in space sector.
