Saudi Arabian Woman Set to Make History in Private Space Mission to ISS

On May 8, two Saudi Arabian men and women will embark on a historic private mission to the International Space Station (ISS).

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The Saudi woman, Rayyanah Barnawi, is a breast cancer researcher and will be joined by fellow Saudi Ali Al-Qarni who is a fighter pilot.

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Rayyanah Barnawi will become the first Saudi woman to travel to space.

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A former NASA astronaut, Peggy Whitson, will be making her fourth flight to the ISS along with John Shoffner, a businessman from Tennessee.

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Liftoff of the Axiom Mission 2 (Ax-2) aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket is scheduled for 10:43 pm on May 8th.

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The four-member crew will be spending 10 days aboard the orbiting space station.

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Axiom Space, a private space company, carried out its first private astronaut mission to the ISS in April 2022.

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The mission involving a Saudi woman is part of the country's efforts to revamp its ultra-conservative image.

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The neighboring United Arab Emirates has also taken part in space missions.

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