Abu Dhabi - UAE astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi has safely returned to Earth following his record-breaking six-month mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS).

The SpaceX Dragon capsule carrying him and three other astronauts made a successful splashdown in the Atlantic off the coast of Jacksonville, Florida, marking the conclusion of the Arab world's longest space mission and the UAE's second human space journey.

This mission also marked the historic moment when an Arab astronaut conducted a spacewalk. NASA celebrated the safe return on Twitter, and President Sheikh Mohamed congratulated Dr. Sultan Al Neyadi for his successful return, highlighting his inspirational achievements for the Arab youth.

After ensuring the safety of the capsule, a SpaceX crew arrived at the splashdown site on a boat, and engineers opened the hatch for the astronauts to exit. Dr. Al Neyadi and his fellow astronauts were seen leaving the capsule, with Dr. Al Neyadi visibly happy and waving to the cameras.

Returning from long-term space missions can pose challenges for astronauts, including difficulties in walking as their bodies readjust to gravity. Dr. Al Neyadi conducted over 200 scientific experiments while aboard the ISS, collaborating with NASA and UAE institutions. He also dedicated time to capturing photographs of Earth, particularly focusing on the Middle East and North Africa.

As part of the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre's "A Call from Space" outreach program, Dr. Al Neyadi engaged in live conversations with students from across the UAE, encouraging their interest in space exploration.

The United Arab Emirates has ambitious plans for its space program, with the goal of sending astronauts into space every two to three years. Nora Al Matrooshi and Mohammed Al Mulla, both part of the UAE's astronaut corps, are currently undergoing training at NASA's Johnson Space Centre in Houston, preparing for future missions led by NASA. The UAE is also eyeing lunar exploration as part of its space endeavors.