Dubai – According to Emirates News Agency on Saturday, Emirati astronaut Hazzaa Al-Mansoori is the first Arab to hold the crucial position of increment lead for an International Space Station expedition.
For the Arab world and the UAE, the historic Expedition 69 has been a turning point ever since the Soyuz MS-22 spacecraft undocked on March 28.
Al-Mansoori is part of a historic mission that also includes Sultan Al-Neyadi, the first Arab astronaut to undertake a lengthy space mission.
The Emirati astronaut will lead the ISS crew through every phase of the trip as part of his role as a lead, highlighting the UAE’s growing involvement in space exploration.
The Expedition 69 crew will carry out a number of experiments throughout their mission, including advancing research on 3D-cultured cardiac muscle tissue to assess human cardiac function in microgravity, testing a novel tool for deep-space immune monitoring, and looking into the effects of microgravity on material combustion to improve spacecraft safety.
Moreover, Al-Neyadi will examine samples taken from outside the space station for microbes.
“Expedition 69 represents the longest Arab space mission to date and marks the first time an Arab astronaut has been appointed as increment lead,” said Salem Humaid Al-Marri, director-general of Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Center. The nomination of Al-Mansoori to this post is evidence of his extraordinary abilities and knowledge.
Al-Marri stated: “We are pleased to observe Sultan and Hazzaa collaborate to conduct ground-breaking studies that will widen our knowledge of space and comprehension of living in microgravity. It sets the way for additional Arab astronauts to join in space research.”
Throughout Expedition 69, Al-Mansoori will play a crucial role in ensuring the flawless integration and execution of ISS crew activities.
This entails a variety of responsibilities, including creating, supervising, putting into practise, and disseminating mission integration processes.
Al-role Mansoori’s as the main point of communication between the ground team and the ISS crew during operations will guarantee the efficiency and success of the mission.
He declared: “I am happy to allow easy communication between the ISS Expedition team and the Astronauts Office. My job requires more than just sending data, though. It entails comprehending and respecting the difficulties and successes faced by our team while in space. By working together to support Expedition 69, we hope to advance human space exploration.
In order to assess the BioFabrication Facility’s ability to generate knee cartilage tissue for treating injuries in space and distant areas of Earth, Al-Neyadi has started conducting trials with it.
The Ultrasound 2 medical instrument was used to scan his neck, shoulders, and leg veins.
Astronauts Al-Neyadi, Stephen Bowen, Woody Hoburg, Frank Rubio, Dmitri Petelin, Sergey Prokopyev, and Andrey Fedyaev make up the Expedition 69 crew on board the International Space Station.
