360Prince Sultan bin Salman becomes the first Arab in space
On 17 June 1985, Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz flew aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery, becoming the first Arab astronaut. During the seven-day mission, the crew deployed a communications satellite for Arabsat. The flight was a proud moment for Saudi Arabia, and he later led the Saudi Space Commission.
Prince Sultan bin Salman, a Saudi Air Force pilot, was chosen to fly as a payload specialist on NASA mission STS-51-G. He was 28 years old.
Space Shuttle Discovery lifted off from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on 17 June 1985, with an international crew of seven. During the mission, the astronauts deployed three communications satellites, including Arabsat-1B, which served the Arab world.
The Prince also conducted experiments and photographed the Kingdom from orbit. He later described seeing the Earth as a single home without borders.
Discovery landed safely in California on 24 June 1985 after seven days in space. The flight inspired a generation of young Saudis to study science and engineering.
In December 2018, the Saudi Space Commission was established with Prince Sultan bin Salman as its chairman. In 2023, Saudi astronauts Rayyanah Barnawi and Ali AlQarni flew to the International Space Station.
- 17 June 1985
- Discovery launches
- 24 June 1985
- Discovery lands
- December 2018
- Saudi Space Commission established
- May 2023
- Saudi astronauts fly to the International Space Station
Sources: NASA · Saudi Space Agency · Saudipedia.