Expo Dubai: 1st UAE woman astronaut says space for all

(ANSA) - ROME, OCT 20 - The United Arab Emirates' first female astronaut told Expo Dubai's space week Wednesday that space was for everyone.
    "It's a great responsibility to be the first Arab woman astronaut," said Nora Al Matrooshi.
    "The field of space exploration is not limited to one gender alone or to one country: Space is for everyone. I want Arab women to be encouraged by my example to join this sector".
    Al Matrooshi has been selected along with male colleague Mohammed Al Mulla for the Emirates' upcoming mission to take its astronauts to the Moon.
    "Together with my colleague Al Mulla, we have started our training course at the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Center (MBRSC) and we have started flight training, we are strengthening our hand muscles and studying Russian," she said at a conference at the Dubai Exhibition Center.
    Asked what advice she would give to girls wanting to become astronauts, Al Matrooshi said: "My advice is to try to reach one's goals. Even if it seems impossible, there are always opportunities, and it is up to us to create them".
    Finally, on Expo Dubai 2020, she said "it offers an opportunity to meet and discuss ideas, in a unique place. We must cooperate to build a better future for future generations." (ANSA).