Hazzaa Al Mansoori

Hazzaa AlMansoori is the first Emirati astronaut and the Astronauts Office Manager at the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC). In 2019, he embarked on the UAE’s first scientific mission to the International Space Station (ISS) under the slogan ‘Zayed’s Ambition,’ making the UAE the 19th country worldwide and the first Arab country to reach the ISS.
He was one of the two astronauts selected in the first batch of the UAE Astronaut Programme, launched by H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, in 2017.
During his mission, AlMansoori conducted 31 scientific experiments, 16 of which were held in cooperation with international space agencies, including Roscosmos, NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA), and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). Additionally, 15 experiments involved schools in the UAE as part of MBRSC’s Science in Space initiative. His contributions significantly advanced the UAE’s scientific capabilities and fostered international collaboration in space research.
AlMansoori also served as the backup for H.E. Dr. Sultan Saif AlNeyadi during the UAE’s second mission to the ISS, which became the longest Arab space mission. He made history as the first Arab Increment Lead for an ISS expedition, guiding the crew through every aspect of the mission and ensuring its success.
In preparation for his mission, AlMansoori underwent extensive training at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre in Moscow, NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, and the European Astronaut Centre in Cologne. His training included comprehensive instruction on all sections and units of the ISS, emergency procedures, survival training, and the operation of various equipment and devices aboard the station. AlMansoori completed over 1,400 hours of training, spanning more than 90 courses, which equipped him with the necessary skills to perform his duties effectively in space.
Born on December 13, 1983, in Al Wathba, AlMansoori's passion for astronomy led him to a career in aviation. He graduated from the Khalifa bin Zayed Air College and quickly became a distinguished military pilot. His skills made him a top candidate for the Functional Check Flight (FCF) Pilot F-16B60, leading him to train in Arizona, USA, for three years. Upon his return to the UAE, AlMansoori became the youngest military pilot on the F-16. He also qualified as a pilot for flight testing and aircraft assessment, and was one of the first Arab and Emirati pilots to take part in the Dubai Air Show.