RIYADH — The Saudi mission to space will take off from the United States on schedule, it was announced here.

Rayyanah Barnawi, the first Arab Muslim female astronaut, and Ali Al-Qarni will travel to the International Space Station (ISS) on Sunday, May 21.

The mission is part of the Kingdom’s astronauts’ program, which was launched on Sept. 22 last year. The mission represents Saudi Arabia’s ambitions in space research and is part of the goals of Vision 2030.

The Saudi space mission will launch from the United States and, more importantly, mark a historical moment for the Kingdom.

The astronauts will conduct 14 pioneering scientific experiments in microgravity that will help scientists and researchers devise new ways to provide suitable conditions for humans to further explore space.

The results will advance the Kingdom's global position in space exploration, with the ultimate aim of better serving humanity.

It will support Saudi research centers and will have a scientific impact on future space exploration.

The astronauts will also conduct three educational awareness experiments with 12,000 Saudi students via live feed.

This mission, once accomplished, will place the Kingdom as one of the few countries that will have had two astronauts simultaneously on board the International Space Station.

Its success will enhance the Kingdom's global position within the field of space exploration and service to humanity.

It will represent a milestone for the Saudi astronaut program.

The program is designed to prepare future astronauts and space engineers through quality educational and training programs, participation in scientific experiments, international research and future space-related missions. — SG