(MENAFN) The Saudi Press Agency has mentioned in a report that Saudi Arabia will be sending its first female astronaut, Rayannah Barnawi, to the International Space Station in the second quarter of 2023. Barnawi will join the AX-2 space mission crew with fellow astronaut Ali Alqarni. The mission's goal is to build national capabilities in manned flights and contribute to scientific research in areas such as health, sustainability, and space technology.

The scientific space expedition will take off from the United States and include female pilot trainee Mariam Fardous and male pilot trainee Ali Alghamdi, who will both be trained on all mission requirements. The Saudi Space Commission aims to make scientific innovations in the field of space sciences through its astronaut program and to enhance its ability to conduct its own research.

The astronaut program is a collaboration between various entities, including the Ministries of Defense and Sports, the Civil Aviation Authority, the King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, and US space infrastructure developer Axiom Space.

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