Speakers

Sultan AlNeyadi is an Emirati astronaut and the first Arab to serve on the International Space Station (ISS) for a 6-month mission, as part of Expedition 69.

During his tenure of over 4,000 hours aboard the ISS, AlNeyadi completed 200 research experiments and studies in collaboration with international space agencies and entities, on a wide range of topics. Additionally, he achieved the distinction of being the first Arab to perform a spacewalk, which lasted 7 hours and 1 minute.

AlNeyadi underwent rigorous and extensive training for the 6-month ISS mission. This training spanned five years and included over 90 courses, covering emergency procedures, everyday ISS operations, and survival skills.

AlNeyadi was one of the two astronauts selected in the first batch of the UAE Astronaut Programme. The programme was launched in 2017 by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. Its goal is to train and prepare a team of Emirati astronauts for various scientific missions in space.

In 2019, AlNeyadi also served as the backup for Hazzaa AlMansoori during the UAE's first scientific mission to the International Space Station (ISS), under the slogan 'Zayed's Ambition'.

AlNeyadi was born on May 23, 1981, and followed in his father's footsteps by pursuing a career in the military. He obtained a Bachelor's degree in Electronics and Communications Engineering from the University of Brighton and served as a Network Security Engineer in the UAE Armed Forces. AlNeyadi also holds a Master's degree in IT from Griffith University and a Ph.D. in Information Technology.