Dubai: Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai shared the details of applications received for the Emirates Astronaut Program.
Out of 4,300 applicants, 1,400 were Emirati women and 130 were Emiratis with PHDs.
In a tweet posted by Sheikh Mohammed, the Dubai Ruler said, “Today, I received the statistics of applicants for the Emirates Astronaut Program… where we will announce two Emirati astronauts soon… 1,400 Emirati girls among the applicants out of 4,300 applicants… and 130 Emiratis with a Ph.D. in the applicants… proud of desire… proud of passion. Proud of the people of this country..”
Registrations for the second batch of Emirati astronauts opened in December 2019. The initial deadline was March 31 but was extended to May 1.
Hazzaa AlMansoori became the first Emirati in space last September when he embarked on a successful eight-day mission to the International Space Station.