MBRSC announces Emirati crewmember for next phase of second study under UAE Analogue Programme
The Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) today announced the selection of Obaid AlSuwaidi as the Emirati crewmember for the second analogue study of the UAE Analog Programme, as part of NASA's Human Exploration Research Analog (HERA) Campaign 7 Mission 4, scheduled to begin on 1 November 2024. AlSuwaidi will join the primary crew, including Kristen Magas, Tiffany Snyder, and Anderson Wilder, in a 45-day mission within the 650-square-foot Human Exploration Research Analogue (HERA) facility at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, USA.
The three-storey HERA habitat, designed to replicate the conditions of space exploration here on Earth, offers a unique platform for studying human adaptability to isolation and confinement. By simulating the demands of long-term space travel, such as missions to Mars, scientists aim to better understand how future astronauts will cope with the extreme physical and psychological challenges posed by deep space journeys.
Throughout the mission here on Earth, the crew will undertake a variety of experiments, including a simulated 'walk' on Mars using virtual reality, along with activities like cultivating vegetables and shrimp farming. A key aspect of the HERA studies involves assessing the long-term effects of isolation and confinement on crew performance, health, and well-being. Additionally, the crew will experience communication delays with Mission Control, simulating the increasing time lags expected as they "approach" Mars. These delays, which could extend up to five minutes one way, are critical to observing how astronauts might manage similar conditions on future interplanetary missions.
The four crewmembers will participate in 18 human health experiments, focusing on physiological, behavioural, and psychological responses in a controlled environment. This research will provide valuable data, which seeks to enhance human resilience and performance in spaceflight conditions.
As with previous phases of the analogue study, the UAE's involvement demonstrates its growing contribution to international space exploration. Leading six of the mission's critical studies in collaboration with MBRSC are the United Arab Emirates University (UAEU), Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU), and the American University of Sharjah (AUS). These efforts reflect the UAE's continued commitment to advancing scientific knowledge in preparation for future lunar and Martian exploration.
Adnan AlRais, Assistant Director General - Space Operations and Exploration Sector, MBRSC said, 'We are pleased to announce the selection of Obaid AlSuwaidi for the next phase of the second analogue study under the UAE Analogue Programme. His involvement in this mission, in collaboration with NASA, strengthens our scientific foundation in addressing the human factors of long-duration spaceflight. The findings from this study will play a crucial role in shaping the future strategies for deep space missions, including Mars, while reinforcing the UAE's position as a key player in international space exploration. We remain dedicated to pushing the boundaries of innovation and inspiring future generations to drive forward our vision of space exploration and scientific discovery.'
Obaid AlSuwaidi, a captain engineer at the UAE Ministry of Defence, has extensive experience in civil and marine engineering, offering strategic leadership in addressing complex challenges within the organisation. During his role at the Ministry, he was instrumental in optimising productivity, setting high professional standards, and building a talented team to meet the nation's defence needs. AlSuwaidi has a bachelor's degree in engineering from Western Sydney University, Australia, a master's degree in civil and environmental engineering from George Washington University, USA and master's degree in project management from Abu Dhabi University. In addition to his professional pursuits, he is an avid horse rider, swimmer, and runner. AlSuwaidi is part of the fourth group of volunteers to participate in an analog study in HERA this year. The first phase of the second analog study of the UAE Analog Programme was completed on 11 March 2024, while the second and third phases were completed on 25 June 2024 and 23 September 2024, respectively.
Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.
Hashtags
- ScienceHealth#HERA,Emirati,UAEAnalogProgramme,HumanExplorationResearchAnalog,Campaign7Mission4,HumanExplorationResearchAnalogue,Martian,UAEAnalogueProgramme,ObaidAlSuwaidi,AlSuwaidi,KristenMagas,TiffanySnyder,AndersonWilder,AdnanAlRais,MBRSC,NASA,MohammedBinRashidSpaceCentre,MissionControl,UnitedArabEmiratesUniversity,UAEU,MohammedBinRashidUniversityofMedicineandHealthSciences,MBRU,AmericanUniversityofSharjah,AUS,Operations
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Al Etihad
9 hours ago
- Al Etihad
Scientists discover unusual atmospheric motion on Saturn's largest moon
7 June 2025 09:52 ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)Scientists at the University of Bristol, UK have observed a strange phenomenon in the atmosphere of Titan, Saturn's largest moon, discovering that its upper atmospheric layers do not remain fixed relative to the surface but instead wobble with the changing seasons.A research team made the discovery after analysing 13 years' worth of infrared data from the Cassini-Huygens mission, a joint venture between NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA), and the Italian Space is the only moon in the Solar System with a significant atmosphere, and one that has long captivated planetary scientists.'The behaviour of Titan's atmospheric tilt is very strange!' said Lucy Wright, lead author and postdoctoral researcher at Bristol's School of Earth Sciences. 'Titan's atmosphere appears to be acting like a gyroscope, stabilising itself in space.'We think some event in the past may have knocked the atmosphere off its spin axis, causing it to wobble. Even more intriguingly, we've found that the size of this tilt changes with Titan's seasons.'The team studied the symmetry of Titan's atmospheric temperature field and found that it isn't centred exactly on the pole, as expected. Instead, it shifts over time, in step with Titan's long seasonal cycle—each year on Titan lasts nearly 30 years on Nick Teanby, co-author and planetary scientist at Bristol said: 'What's puzzling is how the tilt direction remains fixed in space, rather than being influenced by the Sun or Saturn.'That would've given us clues to the cause. Instead, we've got a new mystery on our hands.'This discovery will impact NASA's upcoming Dragonfly mission, a drone-like rotorcraft scheduled to arrive at Titan in the 2030s. As Dragonfly descends through the atmosphere, it will be carried by Titan's fast-moving winds—winds that are about 20 times faster than the rotation of the how the atmosphere wobbles with the seasons is crucial for calculating the landing trajectory of Conor Nixon, planetary scientist at NASA Goddard and co-author of the study, added: 'Our work shows that there are still remarkable discoveries to be made in Cassini's archive. This instrument, partly built in the UK, journeyed across the Solar System and continues to give us valuable scientific returns. 'The fact that Titan's atmosphere behaves like a spinning top disconnected from its surface raises fascinating questions—not just for Titan, but for understanding atmospheric physics more broadly, including on Earth.' The team's findings contribute to a growing body of research suggesting Titan is not just Earth-like in appearance but an alien world with climate systems all its own, and many secrets still hidden beneath its golden haze. Source: Aletihad - Abu Dhabi
Khaleej Times
11 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
Meet UAE's first Emirati female specialist in addiction treatment psychology
Ayesha Ameri has made history as the first Emirati woman to be officially recognised as a specialist in addiction treatment psychology. At just 30 years old, Aisha has dedicated the past nine years to her role at Erada Centre for Treatment and Rehabilitation, where she currently heads the psycho-social section in the rehabilitation department. Ayesha's passion for psychology began in high school, where she discovered her natural inclination for humanitarian work. "Volunteering and listening to others came naturally, which made psychology an easy choice," she told Khaleej Times. With a supportive family who believed in the power of therapy, she felt encouraged every step of the way. However, she initially hesitated to pursue addiction treatment due to the stigma associated with it. 'But meeting my first patient changed everything,' she recalled. 'I quickly realised how misunderstood people with addiction are, and I knew I had found my purpose.' This transformative experience drove her to specialise further, and Ayesha pursued a master's degree in Addiction Science. Completing her studies at Dubai Medical College significantly shaped her understanding of addiction as a complex bio-psycho-social disorder. 'The programme gave me a deeper, holistic understanding of addiction,' she explained, noting how her thesis sharpened her research skills and provided an evidence-based perspective that now informs her daily practice. Personal approach Ayesha's approach to treating addiction, clinically referred to as substance use disorder, is grounded in a personalised, evidence-based method. She centres her treatment around Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which she finds most effective for addressing the psychological, social, and behavioural roots of addiction. 'Addiction is a complex disorder, and treatment needs to target all these aspects,' she said. Ayesha's triad CBT-based method, used in both group and individual settings, is unique in its adaptability. By incorporating regular screening tools, she can track each patient's progress and adjust the treatment to suit their specific challenges and strengths. Ayesha also believes that tackling the stigma surrounding addiction in Emirati society is crucial for progress. 'Addiction is a brain-based medical condition, not just a lack of willpower,' she emphasised. She advocates for raising awareness through schools, media, and healthcare campaigns, stressing the importance of a collective effort to change public perceptions. Support system in recovery In addition to medical treatment, Ayesha believes that family and community support play a pivotal role in the recovery process. 'It's important for families to understand that addiction is a disease, and recovery is not a linear journey,' she said. Ayesha encourages families to prepare for the challenges of recovery, advising them to maintain healthy boundaries while respecting the patient's confidentiality. 'Recovery works best when there is trust between the patient and therapist—and that trust can only grow when families support the process without being overly intertwined,' she noted. For young Emirati women aspiring to follow in her footsteps, Ayesha has a powerful message: 'The sky is the limit. There's a real need for more specialists in this field, whether in psychiatry, nursing, medicine, or mental health.' She credits the strong support she received throughout her career and is dedicated to offering that same encouragement to others who are eager to enter the field. Moreover, Ayesha underscores the importance of having more women represented in the field of addiction treatment psychology, particularly in the UAE. 'The UAE has been a strong advocate for women's empowerment, and I'm hopeful to see more women enter the field of addiction psychology,' she remarked. As the first licensed addiction psychologist in the UAE, Ayesha recognises the responsibility that comes with her role. 'For me, it's not just about breaking ground; it's about paving the way for others to follow.' In addition to her clinical work, Ayesha is involved in transformative projects at the Erada Centre aimed at addressing substance use disorder on a larger scale. 'We are collaborating with many different entities with the goal of 'not working in silos,'' she explained, feeling privileged to play a part in these ongoing and upcoming initiatives. Despite the emotional and mental demands of her work, Ayesha has learned to manage these challenges effectively. 'In the beginning, balancing the emotional demands of the work with everyday life was incredibly challenging,' she admitted. However, with experience, she has developed the ability to offer full empathy during sessions while maintaining her own mental space outside of work. Regular supervision with experienced professionals has been essential in helping her stay grounded, ensuring she provides the best care for her patients.
Khaleej Times
20 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
Gaza: UAE medical mission members perform Eid Al Adha prayers at field hospital
Members of the UAE medical mission working at the Emirati field hospital in the Gaza Strip performed the Eid al-Adha prayer side by side with the people of the Strip, in an atmosphere filled with faith and patience, as the chants of Eid rose, blended with prayers for love and peace, bringing light and hope to the place despite the wounds. The hospital witnessed a special spiritual atmosphere on the morning of Eid, reflecting the deep bond of human brotherhood between the people of the UAE and their Palestinian brothers. The Emirati medical and nursing staff shared in the joy of the people of Gaza, reaffirming their commitment to continuing their humanitarian duty. On this occasion, the Palestinian people expressed their deep appreciation for the efforts of the United Arab Emirates and its wise leadership, extending their highest congratulations to His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and to the Emirati people.
