Sultan AlNeyadi’s Heartfelt embrace with kids and father: The Space Plushie’s touching role

UAE astronaut Sultan AlNeyadi, after a six-month-long, 186-day journey in space, was met with an emotional homecoming on Monday, September 18. As he descended from the plane, three of his children greeted him with tight embraces. Amidst the hugs, he handed his youngest child, Suhail, a plush toy.

Upon his arrival, he introduced his family to prominent UAE figures, including His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE President, and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. AlNeyadi wrapped his arms around his children with pride and affection during a group photograph with officials and fellow astronauts.

After accomplishing the Arab world's lengthiest space mission, AlNeyadi has been celebrated as a hero's welcome in the UAE, including a fly-past showcasing the nation's flag colors.

He expressed his eagerness to reconnect with his family at a press conference. "I'm thrilled to see them all here," AlNeyadi remarked. "I plan to relax at home, answer their questions, and spend quality time together." He mentioned taking some of their toys to space and is excited to return them. However, regarding Suhail, the toy that accompanied him to space, he playfully admitted to having switched it out. "When my son asked if this was the same Suhail, I confessed it wasn't," he chuckled. "The real one is hidden, having achieved VIP status."

Suhail, the astronaut-themed plush toy, was AlNeyadi's companion during his space adventure. On March 2, as he embarked on his journey, AlNeyadi introduced the blue-and-white toy as Crew-6's "fifth member."