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Are There Saudi Astronauts?

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Are There Saudi Astronauts?
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Yes, there are Saudi astronauts. Prince Sultan Bin Salman Bin Abdulaziz was the first Saudi astronaut who participated in the mission to launch the first satellite for the Arab Satellite Communications Organization (Arabsat). He flew on the STS-51G mission aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery in June 1985.

On May 21, 2023, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia sent the second Saudi male astronaut, Ali al-Qarni, and the first Saudi female astronaut, Rayyanah Barnawi, to the International Space Station, located 408 km above the Earth's surface. The mission lasted until May 31, 2023.

The Saudi Space Agency (SSA) launched the Saudi Astronauts Program to train Saudi personnel to participate in space missions, scientific experiments, global research, and upcoming space endeavors, in alignment with the targets of Saudi Vision 2030. The program includes training for another female astronaut and a male astronaut on all mission requirements, namely Mariam Fardous and Ali al-Ghamdi.