Mohammad Al Mulla and Nora Al Matrooshi, both Emirati astronauts, will train alongside the ‘2021 NASA Astronaut Candidate Class’ in the next ASCAN class (Astronaut Candidate Selection). During the public introduction event on Monday, they were introduced to the public from Ellington Field near Nasa’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. “It’s my honor to welcome a few of additional explorers,” Nasa Administrator Bill Nelson said, welcoming the latest class, which will begin training in January 2022. NASA is expanding its exploration of the solar system, but it is not doing so alone. We’re collaborating with space agencies all over the world. Nora Al Matrooshi and Mohammad Al Mulla, both from the United Arab Emirates, are joining us today. They will train with this group of applicants for the next two years, strengthening the relationship between our two countries. Nora and Mohammed, thank you.”
Nasa inked a Reimbursable Space Act Agreement with the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) last year, which includes the training. The UAE has purchased access to NASA’s facilities and training program as part of this collaboration. These astronauts could be eligible for a number of flight assignments after graduation, including flights on and around the Moon under Artemis, becoming astronauts of the “Artemis Generation,” and the projected lunar Gateway space station. “These Nasa astronauts will design, train, and fly missions to the International Space Stations (ISS) and to the Moon under Artemis, and eventually on to Mars,” said Venessa Wyche, Director of NASA’s Johnson Space Center. Following today, Johnson will be the new home of the new folks we introduce to you.” Nasa announced its astronaut candidates for 2021 after considering over 12,000 applications.