Ali AlQarni (Arabic: علي القرني; born March 1992) is a Saudi air force pilot and astronaut, who was selected for Axiom Mission 2 by the Saudi Space Agency; his selection was officially announced on February 12, 2023.[1]

Ali AlQarni
علي القرني
AlQarni in 2023
BornMarch 1992 (age 32)
Sabt Al-Alaya, Balqarn, 'Asir Province, Saudi Arabia
StatusActive
Space career
Time in space
9 days, 5 hours and 27 minutes
Selection2023
MissionsAxiom Mission 2

He holds a bachelor's degree in aeronautical sciences from King Faisal Air Academy. He is a captain in the Royal Saudi Air Force, where he pilots the F-15SA. He has logged 2,387 hours of flying time.[citation needed]

Astronaut

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On May 22, 2023, AlQarni arrived at the International Space Station aboard SpaceX ship Crew Dragon Freedom with fellow Saudi astronaut Rayyanah Barnawi, John Shoffner and former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson. During his eight-day stay in the International Space Station, he conducted several experiments and outreach events.[2][3]

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References

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  1. ^ In Line with Vision 2030, the Kingdom Returns to Space by Sending a Male and Female Astronaut to the International Space Station
  2. ^ "SpaceX launches Axiom-2, before arriving with four astronauts to the ISS". Nasaspaceflight.com. 21 May 2023.
  3. ^ "Axiom 2 astronauts return from the ISS with successful splashdown". Nasaspaceflight.com. 30 May 2023.