RIYADH: In a bid to enhance future cooperation, the Saudi Space Agency Vice Chairman Mohammed Saud Al-Tamimi and Airbus’ head of Aerospace Jean-Marc Nasr met on Tuesday to discuss ways to collaborate, reported the Saudi Press Agency. The meeting, which took place on the sidelines of the 54th edition of the Paris Air Show, addressed potential ways to develop the space sector and invest in upcoming joint projects. Al-Tamimi and Nasr aim to realize shared objectives in the economic and strategic fields related to space and its technologies. Two Saudi astronauts, Ali Al-Qarni and Rayana Barnawi, recently completed a mission to the International Space Station, marking the country’s rapid advancement in this field. Barnawi was the first Arab and Muslim female astronaut to orbit Earth. Alqarni and Barnawi ­returned to Earth on May 31 after an eight-day stay at the space station where they performed 14 research projects on microgravity, three of which were kite experiments with 12,000 school students from 47 locations across the Kingdom via satellite. The SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule carrying them, as well as American astronauts Peggy Whitson John Shoffner, parachuted down onto the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Panama City, Florida, after a 12-hour return flight and re-entry through the Earth’s atmosphere. The scientific mission will be of significant benefit to humanity and will ensure the Kingdom leading roles and an avant-garde position in space exploration, a statement from the SSA noted during the astronauts’ arrival at King Khaled International Airport in June. The agency also said at the time that the leading achievements and contributions of the Saudi space mission are a source of pride for the nation all with the support of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the statement added.