Saudi Arabian first female astronaut makes history by blasting off to space station

Saudi Arabia is sending its first female astronaut, Rayyanah Barnawi, to the International Space Station, in the latest effort to improve the Kingdom's traditional image.

According to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), two Saudi astronauts will visit the International Space Station (ISS) for the first time on a private mission to conduct many experiments.

Rayyanah Barnawi, the Kingdom's first female astronaut, fighter pilot Ali al-Qarni, and business pioneer John Shoffner were among those aboard the Axiom Space 2 mission. Barnawi described her experience as a wonderful pleasure, stating she is proud to be a part of the mission.

According to the Saudi Press Agency, the team members will conduct over a dozen studies in the microgravity setting involving human research, cell sciences, and cloud seeding investigations.

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The Arab nation's participation in the mission aims to boost space science education in the country and is part of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030.

Riyadh established the Saudi Space Commission five years ago and initiated a programme to send astronauts into space in 2022.