RIYADH: Former NASA astronaut John Fabian, who flew alongside Prince Sultan bin Salman on the landmark STS-51-G mission in 1985, has died at the age of 87.
Fabian was part of the seven-member crew aboard Space Shuttle Discovery during the mission that carried Prince Sultan into orbit, the first time an Arab, Muslim and Saudi citizen had traveled to space.
Launched on June 17, 1985, the mission lasted for seven days and deployed several communications satellites, including Arabsat-1B for the Arab Satellite Communications Organization.
Prince Sultan bin Salman, special adviser to King Salman and chairman of the board of trustees of the nonprofit Heritage Foundation, described Fabian as a close friend and a key figure during the mission.
“He was a scientist. He was a first-class mission mate, who earned the respect of all of us.” Prince Sultan told Arab News.
