Astronaut Hazzaa is on his way home

Emirati astronaut Hazzaa Al Mansoori is returning to Earth on Thursday after eight days at the International Space Station (ISS).

He is due to touch down in Kazakhstan around 3:00 pm UAE time.

Hazzaa will be joined by American astronaut Nick Hague and Russian commander Alexey Ovchinin on the journey home.

They will be travelling in a Soyuz MS-12 spacecraft and it will take them nearly three-and-a-half hours to land after leaving the ISS.

Salem Al Marri, Assistant Director-General for Scientific and Technical Affairs at the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) told ARN News that the astronauts will be welcomed by a team of doctors, upon landing.

Before starting his trip, Hazzaa shared a selfie from the space station, and also a night view of the UAE.

Hazzaa AlMansoori sends you his selfie from space! pic.twitter.com/RiEJT8X3Yq

— MBR Space Centre (@MBRSpaceCentre) October 2, 2019

Night view of the #UAE taken by @astro_hazzaa from the @Space_Station pic.twitter.com/B3jRNyOCDg

— MBR Space Centre (@MBRSpaceCentre) October 2, 2019

From #Space to #Earth, get to know the landing phases for #HazzaaAlMansoori’s return from the #ISS, and don’t forget to tune in LIVE tomorrow on @dubaitv at 2:30PM to witness the journey. https://t.co/KzooZY4V3u pic.twitter.com/EOo8ZXIqLE

— MBR Space Centre (@MBRSpaceCentre) October 2, 2019