Young Emirati girl aspires to become an astronaut

Despite an age requirement, Dana's determination and persistence took her to Nasa.

Even as a nine-year-old, Dana Alblooshi knew life would not be the same after she returned from an astronaut training from Nasa - the youngest from the region to have done so.

A few years and several other accomplishments (that also include writing a book on the most amazing women in the region) later, Dana continues to find interest in space science.

A few months ago, WKND had met her at her Dubai residence to focus on her other talent - writing - when she looked back at her Nasa experience fondly. Despite an age requirement, Dana's determination and persistence took her to Nasa.

"One of the things I had said that time was age should never a limit your dreams," she'd said. "I had told them if you don't take me as an official participant, I will take a chair and sit outside and learn."

No wonder then Hazzaa AlMansoori's impending space mission is something she'd been looking forward to. "I am very proud of my country and I am glad that we are doing something like that. It's one of my biggest interests, and it's nice to see my country moving towards that direction," the 13-year-old said.