The UAE Astronaut Program was launched in 2018 by the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre to train astronauts for space missions. The program aims to develop a skilled workforce in the field of space exploration and contribute to the UAE's growing space sector. In 2019, the first two astronauts, Hazzaa AlMansoori and Sultan AlNeyadi, were selected from a pool of over 4,000 applicants. Hazzaa AlMansoori made history in September 2019 as the first Emirati in space, traveling to the International Space Station for an eight-day mission.