The Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) has narrowed down the candidates for the UAE Astronaut Program to nine.
Nine were chosen from the original 18 through face-to-face interviews. The candidates will be evaluated by the Roscosmos State Corporation for Space Activities in Russia, reported Gulf News.
Candidates will have to undergo intensive medical and physical tests conducted by the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center. Aside from this, they will be trained to withstand the conditions in space.
“The last phase of the evaluation process for the nine candidates will be a major step for us to choose the best candidate, who will represent the UAE in space and carry out national missions assigned to space exploration and scientific research to benefit humanity.” MBRSC Director General Yousuf Al Shaibani said.
The first Emirati and Arab astronaut will fly to the International Space Station in April 2019.
