Saudi space pioneer Rayyanah Barnawi recognized by Guinness World Records as first female arab in space

Rayyanah Barnawi, the first female Arab astronaut, has made history again as Guinness World Records officially recognized her spaceflight on Monday. Barnawi, a Saudi national, was part of Axiom Mission 2, which launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida, on May 21, 2023. Fellow Saudi astronaut Ali Al-Qarni accompanied her on a journey to the International Space Station (ISS).

Barnawi’s spaceflight marked her as the first Arab woman to orbit Earth, symbolising a significant achievement for the entire Arab world. In her first message from space, she expressed the magnitude of the moment: “This trip does not represent me alone, but rather the entire Arab world and all Saudis. We are living a dream that once seemed impossible but has become reality".

After an eight-day stay at the ISS, Barnawi and Al-Qarni returned to Earth on May 31, having completed 14 research projects in microgravity. Their research included kite experiments involving 12,000 school students from 47 locations across Saudi Arabia, conducted via satellite. Barnawi’s mission also involved innovative experiments focusing on immune cells' response and microgravity's impact on biological processes, pushing the boundaries of scientific exploration.

Barnawi’s spaceflight is part of the Saudi Astronaut Program, and her work builds on a distinguished career dedicated to advancing scientific knowledge. She has a background in cancer stem cell research and worked at the King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre. Barnawi holds a bachelor’s degree in genetic engineering and tissue development from the University of Otago in New Zealand and a master’s degree in biomedical sciences from Alfaisal University in Riyadh.

Her achievement as the first Arab woman in space follows the legacy of Prince Sultan bin Salman, who became the first Arab to venture into space in 1985.

Barnawi’s remarkable journey reflects not only her Saudi and Sudanese heritage but also the growing role of Arab women in science, technology, and space exploration. Her world record is a testament to her determination and the broader ambitions of the Arab world in space exploration.