US Extends Congratulations to Saudi Arabia as Barnawi and Al-Qarni Enter Space

The United States has extended its congratulations to Saudi Arabia for its remarkable achievement in the national astronaut program, as Rayyanah Barnawi and Ali al-Qarni become the first Saudi astronauts to enter the International Space Station (ISS).

Barnawi’s accomplishment holds additional significance, as she is the first Arab woman to achieve this remarkable feat.

“We congratulate Axiom Mission 2, the first private mission of Saudi Arabia’s national astronaut program, for successfully docking at the International @Space_Station today,” tweeted Adam Hodge, Acting White House National Security Council Spokesman.

Hodge specifically recognized Barnawi’s groundbreaking achievement as the first Saudi woman in space and conveyed his congratulations with the Arabic term “Mabrouk!”

We congratulate Axiom Mission 2, the first private mission of Saudi Arabia’s national astronaut program, for successfully docking at the International @Space_Station today. We also celebrate Rayyanah Barnawi’s historic achievement as the first Saudi woman in space. Mabrouk! https://t.co/TuspiRFIm6

— Adam Hodge (@NSC_Spox) May 23, 2023

On Monday, Barnawi and al-Qarni embarked on their journey aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, inside a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, as part of the Axiom 2 space mission (Ax-2) to the ISS. The launch took place at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. They are joined by two other astronauts, Peggy Whitson and John Shoffner.

During their time at the ISS, the Saudi astronauts will also be in the company of Emirati astronaut Sultan al-Neyadi, who is currently engaged in a six-month mission at the space station.

The successful participation of Barnawi and Al-Qarni in the Saudi national astronaut program marks a significant milestone for the country’s space exploration endeavors and highlights their commitment to advancing scientific research and exploration.