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."
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