Saudi Arabia to send woman to space

Feb. 13: Saudi Arabia has announced the plans to send the first female astronaut to the International Space Station in 2023. Female astronaut Rayyanah Barnawi and Saudi male astronaut Ali Al-Qarni will be among the crew members of the X-2 space mission.

They will also be the first astronauts from Saudi Arabia to go to space.

The aim of this move is to increase the national capacity in human space flight and also to contribute to scientific research in areas such as health, stability, and space technology. The move is part of Saudi's human spaceflight program. The program also includes training two additional male and female astronauts in all mission requirements.