Barnawi speaks of 'new era for Saudi Arabia' ahead of ISS departure

Saudi astronaut Rayyanah Barnawi has bid an emotional farewell to the International Space Station and its crew. 

She became the first Arab woman to go to space, during a mission alongside fellow astronaut Ali Al Qarni. 

It's the first time in 40 years that Saudi nationals have been to space, after Prince Sultan bin Salman's famous trip on-board a NASA space shuttle in 1985.

Fighting back tears she thanked Emirati astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi and the rest of the team. Al Neyadi is currently on the ISS for a long-term six-month mission. 

NASA will be streaming the departure, with the broadcast starting at 5:00 pm (GST) on Tuesday. The capsule is expected to undock from the ISS at 7:05 pm.

رائد الفضاء السعودي علي القرني، طاقم Ax-2، يوجه الشكر لزملائه ومن ضمنهم رائد الفضاء سلطان النيادي خلال وداع طاقم Ax-2، الذي يغادر غدًا محطة الفضاء الدولية. pic.twitter.com/JuY5mdWTdx

— MBR Space Centre (@MBRSpaceCentre) May 29, 2023