SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket successfully launched Axiom Space's Mission 2 (Ax-2) crew on Sunday, carrying four people, including Saudi citizens Rayyanah Barnawi and Ali Al-Qarni.
The team's two other crew members are former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson and American entrepreneur John Shoffner. Barnawi, a fighter pilot, is the first Saudi woman astronaut and expressed excitement at representing her region.
Al-Qarni, who has always been passionate about exploring the unknown, is also thrilled to fly among the stars. The crew is expected to arrive at the International Space Station (ISS) on Monday and will conduct research while on board.
Saudi Arabia has been revamping its ultraconservative image and established a space commission in 2018, launching an astronaut program last year.
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