Latest news with #AlMansoori
NDTV
11 hours ago
- General
- NDTV
"Falcon 9 Rocket Is Safe, Shukla Is Ready": UAE Astronaut Reassures India
As India prepares to send its second astronaut into space, the spotlight turns to Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, call sign "Shux," who is set to fly aboard the Axiom 4 mission. Among those who have trained with him is the first Emirati astronaut Hazzaa AlMansoori, who shared his insights on Mr Shukla's readiness and the camaraderie they built during their time together in Houston. "It was a great pleasure to work with him," said AlMansoori. "We worked together on his preparation for his mission. Shux was in his training. During preparation, we had the opportunity to get together and talk about his mission and preparation. He was a great guy. Down to earth, he's going to be the pilot for the Dragon vehicle." AlMansoori, himself a fighter pilot like Shukla, emphasised the seriousness of the role and the confidence he has in the Indian astronaut. "It's a great privilege for him and a great responsibility. I have no doubt, he can do it. He's going to represent India in a great way and a very professional way." Their training included simulations of high-risk scenarios aboard the International Space Station. "We simulated different scenarios. In our training, we have this situation where we got like fire, God forbid, or like depressurization, or like we call it, toxic gases just inside the station. So we have to work as a group. And I saw that Shukla was really prepared and ready for the scenarios. We worked together on how to recover our space station and also how we can go to our vehicles and be safe there." Asked if Shukla would make a good astronaut, AlMansoori responded without hesitation: "Definitely. I have no doubt about it. He is really professional and ready for his flight." He also had a personal message for Shukla as he prepared for his journey to the International Space Station. "Shux, just enjoy your experience aboard the space station. A very, very small group of people get this opportunity to float in space and to experience this feeling. So enjoy it. Make sure to capture a lot of photos for yourself, for your family, and for the whole world, because they're going to look up to you from the ground here. And also, I wish you a happy landing." AlMansoori extended an invitation to Shukla to visit the UAE after his mission. "Usually, after the human spaceflight, we are also keen in the UAE to invite astronauts who returned from space and to share the experience with everyone, especially schools and universities. So it is a great thing to share with everyone." On the safety of the mission, AlMansoori reassured Indian viewers: "Falcon 9 is a great vehicle. It has proven that it's very safe. God forbid, nothing's going to happen. You're going to be in really safe hands. Very professional team at SpaceX." And to those in India who may be anxious about the mission, he offered a heartfelt message: "Wish him all the luck and pray for him. And I have no doubt, guys, you're going to enjoy the pictures, the experience that you will see in his eyes, and the things that you will see after his flight. So enjoy every moment of his mission, because you are part of it."
NDTV
12 hours ago
- Politics
- NDTV
Recycled Urine As Coffee? Astronaut Gives A Glimpse Of Space Life
Quick Read Summary is AI generated, newsroom reviewed. As India prepares to send astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla to space, Hazzaa Al Mansoori, the first Emirati astronaut, shares his awe-inspiring ISS experience, emphasizing international collaboration and the excitement of inspiring future generations. New Delhi: As India prepares to send its second astronaut, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, to space aboard the Axiom 4 mission, the spotlight turns to those who have already made the journey beyond Earth. Among them is Hazzaa Al Mansoori, the first Emirati astronaut, who shared his extraordinary experience in an exclusive conversation with NDTV. "It's something that I would say is amazing," Mr Al Mansoori said. "Just to have that feeling of floating, to know that humans are capable of achieving this type of machine up there... it was an amazing experience and amazing feeling." Mr Al Mansoori's mission was historic, not just for the United Arab Emirates, but for the entire Arab world. Selected from over 4,000 applicants in 2017, his journey began with a bold vision from UAE leadership. "Without hesitation, I applied," he recalled. "It was a big thing, a big deal for us." Life In Orbit Living aboard the ISS is a surreal experience. "You're floating, you're watching Earth," he explained. "The speed of the station is more than 28,000 kilometres per hour. You complete one orbit in about 90 minutes. You can see day and night every 45 minutes." The astronaut described the rhythm of life in space, where time is measured not by sunrise and sunset, but by Greenwich Mean Time. "We are working with London time for our working activities, everything - the experiments, the exercises." One of the first things Mr Al Mansoori did upon arrival was look for home. "Dubai was amazing," he said. "Especially at night with the light cities... you can recognise places like the Palm Island. All astronauts want to see it." India, too, left a glowing impression. "The lights, you can see different places like New Delhi, Bombay. I remember just looking at different places and trying to take pictures." A View Like No Other From the International Space Station, Mr Al Mansoori gazed down at Earth with awe. "Looking at Earth from the Cupola is really an amazing view," he said. "You appreciate what you have on the ground because on board the station, everything is being calculated. Oxygen is generated by machines, water is recycled-even your human waste." He chuckled as he explained the station's water recycling system: "We say 'coffee of today, is coffee of tomorrow,' because everything is being collected and reused. Even urine is recycled into drinking water." This stark contrast between life on Earth and in orbit left a lasting impression. "Here on the ground, oxygen is free, water is free. In space, everything is a resource you must manage carefully." Training Across Continents Mr Al Mansoori's journey to space was shaped by rigorous training across multiple space agencies. "We trained at Star City in Russia, Johnson Space Center at NASA, JAXA in Japan, the Canadian Space Agency, and ESA in Europe," he said. "Each agency has a different perspective and flavour in their training, but all are very professional." He served as backup for fellow Emirati astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi and emphasised the importance of international collaboration. "We worked with instructors and scientists from different agencies. It was a great experience." Experiments In Microgravity During his eight-day mission, Mr Al Mansoori conducted several scientific experiments. "One was on time perception, how astronauts perceive time in microgravity," he explained. "Another was with JAXA, involving floating robots. And with the Russians, we studied the impact of space on the human body." He acknowledged the role astronauts play in advancing science: "We are like guinea pigs. We're the subjects of experiments to help understand how humans can live and work in space." A Bond Beyond Borders Despite being 400 kilometres above Earth, Mr Al Mansoori never felt alone. "You create a unique bond with your crew. They become your space family," he said. "We trained together, lived together, and we're still in touch." Communication with loved ones was possible, though limited. "At my time, we had satellite coverage. I could call my family. Now, astronauts can even do Teams calls." India's Rising Star Mr Al Mansoori spoke warmly of his interactions with Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, India's astronaut designate for the upcoming Axiom 4 mission. "He's an amazing person," he said. "I walked with him during one of his training sessions. He's the pilot for the Crew Dragon, and I have no doubt he can do it." He praised Mr Shukla's professionalism and demeanour. "He's very much grounded, very professional. I enjoyed working with him and his backup, Papa." When asked if Mr Shukla would make a good astronaut, he said, "Definitely. He's ready and he's going to represent India in a very, very professional way." Cultural Connections And Shared Dreams Mr Al Mansoori highlighted the deep ties between India and the UAE. "We have a long relationship, and we see it in daily life in both countries," he said. "In the space sector, we're looking to work together-developing satellites, human spaceflight, and more." He referenced Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision: "He said we have to dream together, walk together, and think together. And we can achieve amazing things if we do them together." The Return to Earth Returning from space is no easy feat. "Your body becomes weaker in microgravity," Mr Al Mansoori explained. "When you land, you feel the G-forces intensely. You can't walk for a few days because your vestibular system needs to readapt." For Mr Al Mansoori, recovery took about a week. "After that, it's hour by hour. I'm still active as a fighter pilot, but I'm fully committed to human spaceflight now." Inspiring A Nation Mr Al Mansoori's mission has had a profound impact on the UAE. "Seven years ago, if you asked a child in the UAE if they wanted to be an astronaut, they'd say it's impossible," he said. "Now, every kid wants to be one." The UAE now has four astronauts, including a woman preparing for a future mission. "We're looking forward to working with everyone, including India, to achieve great things in human spaceflight."
TECHx
27-05-2025
- Business
- TECHx
AI Graduate Programme: e& Marks Key Milestone
Home » Emerging technologies » Artificial Intelligence » e& Marks Milestone in AI Graduate Programme e& has announced a major milestone in its flagship AI Graduate Programme, celebrating the next generation of Emirati tech leaders. The programme, launched in 2021, has so far hired 284 Emirati graduates. This underscores e&'s commitment to nurturing local talent and building a future-ready digital workforce. Recently, the latest cohort of graduates was honoured during a ceremony at Atlantis, Dubai. The event celebrated their successful completion of the programme and readiness to contribute to the UAE's innovation-driven economy. Reportedly, around 500 attendees were present, including senior e& leaders. The families of the 25 latest graduates also joined to mark the achievement. Following the ceremony, e& held the One& Celebration. During this event, the Group CEO and senior leadership recognised both the AI graduates and standout employees. They were commended for embodying the company's values of innovation and excellence. Ali Al Mansoori, Group Chief People Officer at e&, said the programme sets a benchmark for excellence in emerging talent development. He noted that it empowers participants with vital skills to thrive in an AI-driven world. According to Al Mansoori, as technology continues to transform industries, initiatives like the AI Graduate Programme help equip Emirati talent to drive innovation and seize new opportunities. He added that the initiative reflects e&'s deep commitment to ensuring Emirati professionals are future-ready and positioned to lead the next era of technological advancement. Moreover, the company revealed its strong focus on gender diversity in the programme: 62% of graduate hires have been female 81% female participation overall since 2021 By 2030, AI is expected to create 170 million jobs globally, with a net gain of 78 million roles. e& aims to ensure Emirati youth are prepared for these opportunities. The 12-month programme offers immersive, hands-on learning. It combines advanced technology training with leadership development. Participants gain practical experience in areas such as: AI and big data Cybersecurity and analytics Through this initiative, e& continues to shape the future of digital innovation in the UAE.
Sharjah 24
26-05-2025
- Business
- Sharjah 24
SZHP approves 14,000 housing decisions, eyes one-day processing
Future plans for one-day housing decisions Eng. Mohamed Al Mansoori, Director General of the Sheikh Zayed Housing Programme, affirmed in statements to the Emirates News Agency (WAM) on the sidelines of the first edition of the Forbes Middle East "Building the Future" Summit in Abu Dhabi, that in line with the directives of the wise leadership, the programme is working on future plans aiming to issue housing decisions within a single day and link them directly to budgets. Proactive housing decisions for newly married citizens Additionally, he said the programme is studying a mechanism to issue proactive housing decisions for citizens without the need to apply—immediately upon marriage—in a way that meets the aspirations of the Emirati people and enhances social welfare and family stability in society. Cooperation with private sector and reduced waiting lists Al Mansoori added that the Sheikh Zayed Housing Programme has made significant strides in recent years through innovative financing policies in cooperation with the private sector, whose participation in funding housing decisions exceeded 70%. Furthermore, the homeownership rate among citizens has reached 91%, one of the highest globally, and the waiting list for housing decisions has been reduced by more than 95%. Ongoing efforts to enhance government housing The Sheikh Zayed Housing Programme continues its efforts to anticipate the future of government housing in the UAE and to seek out future solutions and needs in cooperation with relevant authorities in both the public and private sectors through initiatives, plans, and facilitation measures that ensure a decent standard of living for citizens.
Al Etihad
24-05-2025
- Health
- Al Etihad
Al Nasser Holdings contributes Dh5 million to Life Endowment campaign to support patients with chronic diseases
24 May 2025 17:07 ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)Al Nasser Holdings has announced a contribution of Dh5 million to the Life Endowment campaign in support of chronic disease patients, launched by the Endowments and Minors Funds Authority (Awqaf Abu Dhabi) under slogan With You For remarkable response to the Life Endowment campaign from individuals, institutions, and business leaders demonstrates the UAE community's awareness and understanding of its importance. This endowment represents a long-term investment in public health, particularly for patients with chronic diseases, strengthening the healthcare system's capacity to address future challenges while also fostering a culture of giving and Nasser Hawaileel Al Mansoori, Chairman of Al Nasser Holdings said: 'The Life Endowment campaign is a generous initiative reflecting the UAE's deep commitment to providing sustainable healthcare for all, supporting patients who cannot afford treatment and ensure those with chronic diseases have access to essential medication and ongoing care. This campaign marks a significant milestone in the UAE's enduring tradition of philanthropy.'Al Mansoori added: 'It is an honour to join contributors to this blessed campaign, demonstrating our commitment to social responsibility and our support for all efforts to aid those affected by chronic diseases. We are confident this endowment will be a beacon of hope, providing essential support on their journey toward recovery. Its success is assured thanks to the organisers' clear vision and approach, and our community's unwavering generosity.'The Life Endowment campaign aims to enhance the sustainability of healthcare services, and provide long term funding to treat vulnerable patients with chronic diseases, while supporting the healthcare system as a campaign further aims to maximise the returns of the endowment and direct them toward healthcare programmes that improve quality of life and help build a healthy, sustainable society. The initiative also seeks to promote the concept of endowment as a development tool that supports social solidarity.
