Rayyanah Barnawi, first Arab woman to travel to space

Rayyanah Barnawi, a Saudi Arabian astronaut, is set to make history as the first Arab woman to travel to the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the private Ax-2 mission led by Axiom Space. This mission, Axiom's second all-private astronaut mission to the ISS, will launch on Sunday, May 21, with a crew of four aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft and Falcon 9 rocket.

The crew for the Ax-2 mission includes Peggy Whitson, a former NASA astronaut leading the mission, John Shoffner as the pilot, and Barnawi's fellow Saudi compatriot Ali Aqarni. Barnawi and Aqarni have been appointed as mission specialists for the Ax-2 mission. During a pre-launch conference, Barnawi expressed her pride in representing the dreams and aspirations of the people of Saudi Arabia, as well as the women in the region.

Barnawi's journey to the ISS is significant in the context of Saudi Arabia's efforts to promote gender equality. Sultan Al Neyadi of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) previously became the first Arab astronaut to embark on a long-term mission to the ISS. Al Neyadi currently resides aboard the space station and will have the opportunity to meet Barnawi, Aqarni, and other astronauts participating in the Ax-2 mission.

Barnawi possesses an impressive educational background, holding a Master of Biomedical Sciences degree from Alfaisal University in Saudi Arabia and a Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences degree from Otago University in New Zealand. With almost ten years of experience in cancer stem-cell research, Barnawi will focus on stem cell and breast cancer research during her time on the ISS. Additionally, her passion for outdoor activities and sports, including scuba diving, hang gliding, ledge swinging, hiking, and rafting, further contributes to her suitability for space missions.