Emirati astronaut Hazzaa AlMansoori will soon make his first public address in a major space-related gathering in Dubai.

AlMansoori - who spent eight days on the International Space Station - and reserve astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi will be speaking in a panel discussion at the IAA Humans in Space Symposium, set to be held from November 11 to 14 at the World Trade Centre.

This will be their first public appearance since AlMansoori's return to the UAE on October 11.

At the event, the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) is also looking to release some of the scientific results from the mission, UAE Astronaut Programme chief Salem Al Marri told Khaleej Times.

"This event is quite exciting because we'll have over 10 astronauts, many space agencies, high-level speakers, and we'll have Hazzaa and Sultan speaking. So, that's a great opportunity for people to come and hear about their experience.

"We'll be looking at releasing some of the information (scientific results) during the event, and the rest of it probably in the beginning of the year," Al Marri said.

Another first for UAE

Al Marri and other MBRSC officials have just returned from Washington DC, where they participated in the 70th annual International Astronautical Congress (IAC).

They received the flag and banner for the next IAC, which will be held in Dubai from October 12 to 16, 2020.

It will be the first time that an Arab country will host the congress, since IAC's inception in 1950.

"That's a major achievement for the UAE because it is the largest space gathering. It's been going on for 70 years and the one in Dubai will be the 71st edition. It gathers all of the space agencies, space entities, astronauts, scientists to discuss future plans and cooperation," Al Marri said.

The official noted that bringing such a large gathering of influential people to the UAE is "very important".

"This year there were 6,800 attendees, which is a record. Next year, considering the UAE's space achievements, it's very timely that we are hosting the IAC next year to showcase what the UAE is doing and what we are doing in Arab and international cooperation," he added.

"There is a legacy to hosting the IAC. What we hope to achieve is a wider participation, regionally and locally. Usually, this area is not well represented in the IAC and this is our chance to have a legacy in terms of increasing our membership to the International Astronautical Federation, which is the entity that organises the IAC."

The MBRSC is also hosting the Young Professionals in Space conference at the Dubai World Trade Centre from November 4 to November 6.

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