Dubai, UAE, 24 October 2019:  Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) published a new video for the Emirati Astronaut Hazzaa AlMansoori whilst giving a tour aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The video is the first filmed tour in Arabic language of the ISS, where AlMansoori explained the segments, units, components, equipment and tools of the ISS. The video presents a valuable Arabic content about ISS, a research lab orbiting Earth with altitude of around 400 km above ground. 

HE Yousuf Hamad AlShaibani, Director General of MBRSC, said, “We are delighted to be sharing part of the scientific mission in Arabic language, for the first time upon the return of Hazzaa AlMansoori from his mission to ISS. We are confident that it would help elevate knowledge about the space sector in the Arab world.” He added, “The UAE contributes to enhancing the level of awareness about this sector in the region; the wise leadership in the UAE had directed us to ensure that Hazzaa’s mission aboard ISS is an honorable representation for the Arab region and at MBRSC we are committed to deliver this aspiration; this is why we are keen to share the content of the mission with the Arab world where it can be a trusted source of information.”  

AlMansoori showcased during the tour a detailed explanation of the Russian segment on board the ISS. He explained that it has the main computer to control the station and handle different technical issues. It also harbors exercising equipment used for a daily 2-hour workout by the astronauts, and a place for sleep. 
A picture of Yuri Gagarin, the world’s first astronaut, appeared on the video at the Russian section of the ISS; along with Sergei Korolev, a lead Soviet rocket engineer and spacecraft designer, regarded as the father of practical astronautics. The video also showed flags of countries who participated in experiments with Russia, including the United Arab Emirates flag. Besides, the video showed the entrance from the Soyuz spacecraft.

AlMansoori demonstrated the first part that built up the Russian segment at the ISS. It is used for storage, shower, and has other specific tools for astronauts. The video highlighted the Russian lab where all AlMansoori’s experiments took place during his eight-day mission to the ISS.

During the filmed tour inside different segments and units of the ISS, AlMansoori showed astronauts spacesuits at the airlock; referring to them as mini-spacecrafts. He explained how these spacesuits help astronauts perform space walks outside ISS for hours for maintenance purposes which can be mounting some devices or changing batteries. He mentioned that after astronauts don the spacesuit, they make sure that its pressure is balanced before heading out of the ISS. 

 “Content about the International Space Station is available online in different languages, but for the first time, detailed Arabic content about the different segments and components of the ISS would be available thanks to AlMansoori’s filmed tour,” said Salem AlMarri, Head of the UAE Astronaut Programme. 
“As the first Arab to ever enter ISS, sharing the experience in Arabic was not an afterthought. This video would be the mission’s legacy and we are keen to share it with the Arab region,” he added.

The ISS was jointly established in 1998 by the United States and Russia with funds from Canada, Japan, and 10 European countries. The station started receiving astronauts two years later, in November 2000. The ISS hosts an international staff of 6 astronauts, conducting scientific studies across various sectors of space science, physics and biology, astronomy, meteorology, and other fields for 35 hours a week.

AlMansoori conducted 16 scientific experiments in cooperation with international space agencies. Six of these experiments were conducted in microgravity to study the reaction of vital indicators of the human body aboard the ISS, Brain DTI, Osteology, motor control, time perception in microgravity, Fluidics (fluid dynamics in space), and DNAm-Age. AlMansoori was the first astronaut from the Arab region to participate in such research.

The mission is part of the UAE Astronaut Programme, which is overseen by the MBRSC. The UAE Astronaut Programme is the first integrated programme in the Arab region to prepare national cadres to participate in human space flights and carry out various scientific missions, in addition to becoming a part of the research carried out by the global scientific community to devise solutions to many challenges facing humanity.

The UAE Astronaut Programme is funded by the ICT fund of the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA). Launched in 2007, this fund, which is the first of its kind in the Arab world, aims towards supporting research and development within the ICT sector in the UAE, helping it to grow into a nationally significant industry with a leading place in the world.