News
First Female Saudi Astronaut To Join International Space Station
Saudi Arabia will send a male and female astronaut to the ISS in Q2 of 2023.

Saudi Arabia has officially announced that it will send the first female Saudi astronaut to the International Space Station in Q2 2023 as part of a two-person team. The mission follows in the footsteps of the neighbouring United Arab Emirates which became the first Arab nation to send a citizen into space, back in 2019.
Rayyanah Barnawi and teammate Ali AlQarni will join the crew of the AX-2 space mission in a historic flight that will launch from the USA. Meanwhile, the Saudi Human Spaceflight Program will commence the training of two further astronauts, Mariam Fardous and Ali AlGamdi, for the mission.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia hopes the mission will bolster human spaceflight capabilities and help the country benefit from the opportunities provided by being an active participant in the space industry. An official statement explained that the flight would be “contributing to scientific research that serves the interests of humans in essential fields such as health, sustainability, and space technology.”
Also Read: A First Glimpse Of Dubai’s Air Taxis Flying Past Local Landmarks
As well as boosting research and development in space-based innovation, The Saudi Human Spaceflight Program will also aid new graduates in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). According to the Saudi Space Commission, the mission to the ISS will make the country one of only a handful to simultaneously bring two astronauts of the same nationality to the International Space Station.
The Spaceflight Program contributes to Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, a unique transformative economic and social reform blueprint. The AX-2 mission will help to further the country’s plans for the future and enable Saudi innovation to take center stage in the global, connected economy.
News
NEOM Airlines Is Saudi Arabia’s New, Tech-Centric Carrier
The airline will embrace advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, and utilize high-tech propulsion systems by 2026.

Opening in 2025, NEOM is a $500 billion Saudi Arabian smart city that will be powered entirely by renewable energy. Now, Saudi authorities have announced that the futuristic metropolis will also be served by its own dedicated carrier — NEOM Airlines.
The service will begin operating in 2024 and embrace advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence and biometric check in. Aircraft will fly to and from NEOM Bay before moving to the soon-to-be-built NEOM International Airport.
Also Read:Â ChatGPT Is Accelerating The AI Revolution In The Middle East
NEOM Airlines will focus on tourist, commercial, and residential travel and incorporate plenty of cutting-edge technology. Klaus Goersch, the airline’s CEO, revealed that existing aircraft will be retrofitted with existing technology on launch, but by 2026, an ultra-modern fleet will be in operation, “whether electric, hydrogen-powered, or supersonic”.
As well as modern, low-emissions power airplanes, NEOM aircraft will also be fitted with sleek, modern interiors, 6G Wi-Fi, large screens for every seat, plus gaming and chat technology.