UAE astronaut Hazza Al-Mansouri will exercise for two hours a day during the flight to the International Space Station, and will conduct 16 scientific experiments in various areas, including disorders of motor activity, fluid dynamics in space, imaging and perception, vascular system, and state indicators During a briefing yesterday, the representatives of the Agency reviewed the ambassadors and representatives of official Arab missions accredited to the UAE, the National Space Program.
They explained the daily lives of the astronauts, where each astronaut will have a dedicated sleeping lounge, which ensures that they do not float during their sleep, due to poor gravity, as well as exercise for two hours a day, to avoid muscular dystrophy and physical changes caused by poor gravity.
The inaugural session was held by the Emirates Space Agency for ambassadors and representatives of official Arab missions accredited to the UAE, as part of an official visit to introduce them to the sector, the national space program and the space exploration projects of the country, in line with its efforts to activate and promote joint Arab action in the field of space, science and technology.
The delegation was received by the Minister of State for Higher Education and Advanced Skills, Chairman of the Emirates Space Agency, Dr. Ahmed bin Abdullah Belhoul Al Falasi, and a number of officials, directors of departments and employees.
The delegation listened to a presentation on the history of the national space sector, the stages of launching various space projects, both in space exploration and in the field of satellites, as well as the latest developments of these projects and the expected accomplishments in this regard.
The representatives of the Agency reviewed the strong international relations system established by the Agency during the past years since its establishment with various international space agencies and international organizations related to the space sector. They also discussed ways to enhance the current cooperation among Arab countries within the sector through the «Arab Group for Space Cooperation», which took place Finally launched.
The Director General of the Emirates Space Agency, Dr. Mohammed Nasser Al Ahbabi, said that the Arab Space Cooperation Group, which was launched last March, is completing its charter and statute before the end of this year, stressing that it is considered the best platforms through which to promote Arab cooperation in the field of space, It currently has 11 member states, and six more want to join in the near future.
He added that organizing this visit comes as part of the Agency's endeavors, in line with its strategic objectives aimed at enhancing the contribution of Arab countries in the space sector, and upgrading their capabilities in this vital area, considering the space sector among the most vital sectors capable of improving the reality of Arab countries and the standard of living of their peoples during the future. Near, because it offers opportunities to develop scientific and technical capabilities.
Al-Ahbabi pointed out that the visit was aimed primarily at reviewing new mechanisms for Arab cooperation in the field of space, taking advantage of the different capabilities of these countries, in addition to reaffirming the UAE's commitment to work with Arab countries to reach a distinguished cooperative framework that will make a contribution to global scientific efforts.