Rayyana Barnawi

Rayyanah Barnawi (Arabic: ريانة برناوي; born 1990) is a biomedical researcher and the first Saudi female astronaut, selected for Axiom Mission 2 as a Mission Specialist by the Saudi Space Commission; her selection was officially announced on February 12, 2023.She holds a Bachelor's degree in biomedical sciences from University of Otago.

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Several space records will be set for the Arab world this weekend. When the first Saudi Astronauts, Rayyana Barnawi and Ali al-Qarni reach the ISS, they will join Al Neyadi from UAE. Barnawi will be the first Arab woman to go to space, and this will be the first time 3 Arab astronauts are in orbit.