Emirates Post, in cooperation with Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC), issues a series of commemorative stamps on 25 September 2019 to celebrate the UAE Astronaut Programme, which will take the first Emirati astronaut, Hazzaa AlMansoori to the International Space Station (ISS).

The series of stamps are launched 55 years after HH Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, father of Dubai, may he rest in peace, issued a stamp to commemorate the American astronauts’ first trip to outer space, under the theme ‘Honouring Astronauts’.

Comprising six designs, the special-edition stamps feature images of prime astronaut, Hazzaa AlMansoori and backup astronaut Sultan AlNeyadi as well as the soyuz MS spacecraft, the International Space Station and the logo for September 25 mission (Zayed’s Ambition), which features an outline of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan’s image, may he rest in peace,  titled “Zayed’s ambition”.

Commenting on the special issuance, His Excellency Abdulla M. Alashram, Acting Group CEO of Emirates Post Group said, “In 1964, HH Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, God rest his soul, issued a stamp celebrating astronauts and space sciences, which demonstrates the nation’s foresight and vision. It is incredible that, in 55 years, this ambition has now been turned into a reality and the UAE is getting closer to achieving its goal of becoming a leader in the space industry.

He continued, “The UAE space mission will mark an important milestone in the UAE’s expanding space industry and inspire a new generation by showing them that anything is possible. We are extremely proud of Hazza AlMansouri and Sultan AlNeyadi, who represent the pinnacle of UAE’s ambitions. We are also honoured to partner with MBRSC and issue a series of commemorative stamps to celebrate this momentous occasion and highlight the UAE’s role in space exploration. On behalf of Emirates Post, I would like to wish both astronauts every success on this historic journey.”

The mission is part of the UAE Astronaut Programme, which is overseen by the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC). The UAE Astronaut Programme is the first integrated programme in the Arab region to prepare national cadres to participate in human space flights and carry out various scientific missions, in addition to becoming a part of the research carried out by the global scientific community to devise solutions to many challenges facing humanity.

The UAE Astronaut Programme is funded by the ICT fund of the TRA. Launched in 2007, this fund, which is the first of its kind in the Arab world, aims towards supporting research and development within the ICT sector in the UAE, helping it to grow into a nationally significant industry with a leading place in the world.

Emirates Post is issuing 150,000 commemorative stamps, which are available at Emirates Post Central Happiness Centres from 25 September 2019. The local postal services provider is also issuing 1,000 First Day Cover Sheets.