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On Sunday, a SpaceX rocket blasted off from Florida en route to the International Space Station in a mission that was the first of its kind. Because, for the first time, a Saudi woman was on board, heading into space. 

Rayyanah Barnawi, who's a breast cancer researcher, was joined by fellow Saudi Ali al-Qarni, a fighter pilot.  They're spending ten days or so aboard the ISS, in a mission organised by the private company, Axiom Space. 

"Being the first Saudi woman astronaut, representing the region, it's a great pleasure and honour that I'm very happy to carry," said Barnawi at a recent press conference.

Sarwat Nasir is space editor at the National News website and paper in the United Arab Emirates - she's been speaking to Newshour's Tim Franks.

(Photo: Crew member Rayyanah Barnawi representing Saudi Arabia gestures before the planned Axiom Mission 2 (Ax-2) launch to the International Space Station at Kennedy Space Center, Florida, U.S. May 21, 2023. Credit: Reuters)