Saudi Arabia announced the name of the first female astronaut

Saudi Arabia has announced the name of the first female astronaut sent to the International Space Station (ISS). The country announced the name of Ryanah Barnaby on Sunday. This female astronaut will be sent to ISS in the middle of this year.

According to the Saudi Press Agency, the main objective of this move is to increase our capabilities in space travel for human services and potential space opportunities.

Saudi Space Commission

• Abdullah bin Amer Al-Sawaha, chairman of the Saudi Space Commission (SSC), said that the mission has the full consent of the country's leaders. Through this mission, the space knowledge of the country will become more active, the ability to independently conduct its own research will increase, which will positively impact the future of the industry and the country.

SSC Chief Executive Mohammad Bin Saud Al-Tamimi said sending astronauts into space will help the country compete globally in technology, engineering, research and innovation. Saudi Arabia will be one of the few countries in the world to have two astronauts from the same country on board the International Space Station at the same time.

Before the SSC, Saudi launched the 'Human Spaceflight Programme'. The aim of the program is to train and qualify citizens for space travel, manned spaceflight, scientific experiments, participation in international research and contribute to future space-related 'Vision 2030'.