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UAE Astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi Prepares To Return To Earth
The six-month mission aboard the International Space Station will end with a splashdown off the Florida coast on September 3rd.
UAE astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi will end his six-month mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS) on September 3rd, entering the record books for conducting the longest-ever Arab space expedition.
According to NASA, Crew-6 (which includes Al Neyadi), will board a SpaceX Dragon craft before detaching from the ISS on September 2nd. After reentering Earth’s atmosphere, the spacecraft will splashdown off the Florida coast on September 3rd.
In a few days, @Astro_Alneyadi is set to return to Earth after the completion of the longest Arab space mission in history, during which he conducted over 200 scientific experiments.@MBRSpaceCentre pic.twitter.com/yltIwKtSAq
— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) August 29, 2023
During his time aboard the International Space Station, Al Neyadi has conducted over 200 scientific experiments, with the latest round of tests forming part of a host-pathogen study. The experiments aim to better understand how the immune systems of astronauts interact with microbial pathogens living within the ISS environment.
The study also explored how dormant pathogens, such as those responsible for chickenpox and shingles, affect immunity once activated.
Adnan Al Rais, the UAE Astronaut Program’s Mission Manager, was keen to emphasize the significance of Al Neyadi’s research in advancing space biology, noting that it could enhance our ability to safeguard future ISS crews and contribute to their healthcare.
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Sultan Al Neyadi’s participation in this groundbreaking set of experiments has set a new benchmark for space science. Samples indicating suppressed immune states were also gathered and frozen onboard the ISS in the hope they could eventually offer cures for viral infections back on Earth.
The UAE’s Astronaut Program is part of a wider National Space Program funded by the ICT Fund of the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA). UAE officials hope that space missions will support research and development in the ICT sector and enhance the Emirate’s global presence in this increasingly important field.
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NASA Forms New Partnership With Saudi Space Agency
The pair will collaborate on the Center for Space Futures, advancing space tech by bringing together public and private stakeholders.
Saudi Arabia’s space industry is on the brink of substantial expansion after generating $400 million in revenue in 2022, according to a report by the Saudi Communications, Space and Technology Commission.
Now, in a new venture with NASA, plans for a “Center for Space Futures” are set to further drive the Kingdom’s aspirations of becoming a leading player in space exploration and technology.
Capturing moments from the joint delegation visit with leaders from the Saudi and American Space Agencies @NASA to @PSU_RUH, along with scenes showcasing the audience's engagement. pic.twitter.com/oB1cFTiRNl
— وكالة الفضاء السعودية (@saudispace) May 14, 2024
The partnership between NASA and Saudi Arabia goes beyond economic advantages. The pair have already cooperated on preliminary work for the Artemis II lunar mission, which is slated for a September 2025 launch and aims to land astronauts near the moon’s South Pole.
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During a visit to the capital, Riyadh, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson emphasized in a TV interview the broader objectives of the collaboration, which encompass “returning to the moon and then [to] Mars” while utilizing space exploration to glean important insights into climate change. The NASA spokesman also reiterated the space agency’s dedication to collaborating with Saudi Arabia on other future ventures.
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