Rayyanah Barnawi
Saudi astronaut (born 1988)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Rayyanah Barnawi (Arabic: ريانة برناوي; born September 1988)[1][2] is a biomedical researcher[3] and astronaut. She is the first Saudi female astronaut, selected for Axiom Mission 2 as a mission specialist[4] by the Saudi Space Commission; her selection was officially announced on February 12, 2023.[5]
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Rayyanah Barnawi | |
|---|---|
ريانة برناوي | |
Barnawi in 2023 | |
| Born | September 1988 (age 37) Jeddah, Saudi Arabia |
| Space career | |
| Status | Active |
Time in space | 9 days, 5 hours and 27 minutes |
| Selection | 2023 |
| Missions | Axiom Mission 2 |
Education and research
She holds a Bachelor's degree in biomedical sciences from University of Otago. She also holds a Master's degree in Biomedical Sciences from Alfaisal University, where she studied the adhesion of breast cancer stem cells.
Astronaut
At the time of her selection, she worked as a research laboratory technician at the King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre in Riyadh. As part of the mission, she conducted mission experiments in her field.[6]
On May 22, 2023, Barnawi arrived at the International Space Station on board SpaceX ship Crew Dragon Freedom.[7]
She is the first Saudi woman in space[8] and is considered as the 600th person to fly in Earth orbit.[9]
In 2024 she received the Visionary Award of the Middle East Institute.[10]
