There is a new reality show on Dubai TV called The Astronauts where 12 candidates from different nationalities compete to become a real life astronaut. One of the candidates who is also the youngest competitor on the show is Bader Al Moulah, a Kuwaiti architect.
The Astronauts reality show is done in cooperation with the BBC and led by the Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield. It’s in Arabic and airs on Sundays at 9PM on Dubai TV and Wednesdays at 9PM on Dubai One with English subtitles.
You can follow Bader on instagram @the.travelling.architect and the show @theastronautsar
25 replies on “Competing to be Kuwait’s First Astronaut”
I know Bader….I had no idea he had a science background.
Anyway, this is awesome. Hope he wins!
It’s nice that there is a competitor from Kuwait in this. I’m just wondering how he was vetted because I think there may be more suitable people.
That being said I have no idea who this guy is or his accomplishments. Does he deserve to go?
“there may be more suitable people”
“I have no idea who this guy is or his accomplishments”
We honestly would progress so much in the Arab World if we just had each other’s back.
We need to love and support each other more and keep our cynicism in check.
What do we just accept whoever is put in whatever position? What country do you think we are in?
I am not for or against this guy. In fact, I am happy he is going to compete.
I just want the best chance for a Kuwaiti to go through. I want to see a Kuwaiti up there. In order to see a Kuwaiti up there, the best properly vetted candidate should go. Do you know of any process this guy went through that maybe the rest of us are unaware of?
But this is a reality show not a Kuwaiti government backed space program
Hi war,
This is Bader, I appreciate your skepticism as we absolutely should have qualified people. I thought I could answer some of your questions 😊
The idea behind the show is that it’s an astronaut selection process, so they are actively testing your qualifications throughout.
However even before the show there were over 500 people in the initial round, these were all people who the shows research team investigated, after many interviews this was narrowed down to 100, then 50, after initial medical tests and a psychological evaluation via skype, 23 were selected to go to Dubai for final selection. Further extensive medical tests were conducted, in-depth personality assessments and psychological evaluations and a fitness test were all used to narrow down the 23 to the final 12. The final 12 are the ones you see on the show.
There are many criteria and requirements to being an astronaut, but it is required that you have at least a Bachelor’s Degree, but they rarely take anyone with less than a masters. Beyond that is a lot of different specific criteria they look for.
As for my qualifications, although I am on the younger side, I have a Bachelor’s of Science in Architectural Engineering, a Master’s in Architecture, I have some verified certificates in Aerospace, Astronautics and Architecture from MIT and Harvard. I am also one of Kuwait’s two National Point of Contact’s for the Space Generation Advisory Council, I am an Engineer on the ADCS team of Orbital Space, a Kuwaiti Company trying to make the first Kuwaiti Satellite, and I’m a certified Advanced open water SCUBA diver.
I also have lots of hobbies that work towards my goal of being an astronaut.
I hope this helps clear things up, I am hoping to open the door for other Kuwaitis and Arabs in the future with my appearance on this show.
Nice! Keep being a good example
Thank You!
Seriously war, people like you are the worst. Give the guy some credit and stop trying to take away his spotlight. He is there for a reason. Get over it. We should be supporting one another instead of trying to invalidate one another.
We’re rooting for you Bader!!
Thank You!
That’s really awesome. I have always had a dream to be an astronaut and go to space
It might not happen, but knowing another Kuwaiti might have the chance to do so is enough for me! I wish him all the best
Now that an actually good reality show. I have a feeling he’ll have a really good run in the competition and hopefully a become finalist- nay, a winner!
Mark, you really need to implement an edit function to the comments u.u
This is all fun and good but can we please fix the roads, garbage and drainage issues before we go to Space? I don’t want to show the Aliens what Kuwait looks like 🙂
Amen. There are other areas of society that need development, it is ridiculous this entire prospect.
I think we should applaud 1000 times over the Kuwaiti national workers in retail outlets or even a Kuwaiti National line employee making french fries at McDonalds before we attempt to applaud one launched into space.
Cool premise, but what agency or country has a spot reserved for the winner? Don’t speak Arabic, do the videos say anything about when and where the winner will go? ISS, earth orbit, etc?
The winner doesn’t have a spot to go to space, they get an official recommendation from Chris Hadfield.
The fact that a Kuwaiti national has been chosen to be a part of a show where he can potentially one day go to outer space speaks volumes. It shows that Kuwait regardless of all its in house problems, piling up garbage, pot holed streets etc , high on the most not liked list of countries for expats etc has within its ranks sons who can reach for the stars and attain it.
Also as Mark said its a reality show to become an astronaut and go into to space .. “Go into space” Thats a very loose term .. It can either be an actual invite to go into a bonafide space astronaut training program heading to ISS like their Emirati brothers or it could just be ride into the stratosphere on Virgin’s new space plane we just have to watch the show and wait and see 🙂
” It shows that Kuwait regardless of all its in house problems, piling up garbage, pot holed streets etc , high on the most not liked list of countries for expats etc has within its ranks sons who can reach for the stars and attain it”
1) Have you seen how many Russians are astronauts
2) Have you seen Russia
Agree with the message but come on let’s not pretend that potholes = no astronaut
Wasn’t there a British Prank Reality show a while back that tricked people into thinking they’re competing on a spot to travel to space? I remember reading article arguing that such a reality show is unethical.
Now I read BBC here… and I wonder if this is the same extension of the reality show.
there…
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-371942/Space-cadets-earth-bump.html
Holy shit.
If you really wanna be an astronaut i suggest you get a masters degree in science in some reputable university and then join air force as a pilot. Maybe after gaining some good experience you will be selected to flight testing division and be recognized as a valuable aviator. Then you can apply and compete with a hundred of best of the best in the country. If you are selected, be prepared to spend years of ground study and rigorous training. Don’t forget to hold a valid passport with a country that builds space rockets) When you get back from your first flight alive you can sign a contract with a tv show and select astronauts from Kuwait.
i want to become an astronut but im only 13years old. i dont think a girl in kuwait can become an astronut because thats people logic, but i believe that i can become whatever i want if i just believe in myself.