Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council, celebrated the success of the first Emirati mission to simulate space in "Sirius 21," offering congratulations to the leadership and people of the UAE for this achievement. Sheikh Hamdan expressed on Twitter: "We congratulate the leadership and people of the UAE on the success of the (Sirius 21) mission, the first Emirati space simulation mission. The mission launched on November 4, 2021, and lasted for 240 days in Moscow, featuring the participation of Saleh Al Amri and simulation astronauts from Russia and the USA. This is a new achievement for the sons of the UAE and the team at the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre."
This comes after the specialized center announced on Sunday the completion of "Mission Number One" of the "UAE Project for Space Simulation," successfully achieving its goals as part of the international scientific research program at the unique ground station (Sirius 21). The mission, which launched on November 4, 2021, spanned eight months to study biomedical and psychological issues in humans caused by isolation in space and restricted movement, with participation from simulation astronauts from Russia, the UAE, and the USA.
It is noteworthy that the UAE's participation in this mission aims to "support scientific communities and research centers locally and globally," with the outcomes of the mission expected to positively impact scientific research efforts. Al Amri conducted 70 experiments during the mission duration, including five contributions from four Emirati universities, covering fields of physiology, psychology, and biology.
The Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre had announced in February 2020 the opening of registration for participation in "Mission Number One" of the UAE Space Simulation Project, receiving 172 applications. The applicants underwent rigorous evaluation processes aligned with the best global standards, leading to the selection of Saleh Al Amri and Abdullah Al Hammadi to embark on the first Emirati space simulation mission.
Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori, Chairman of the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre, mentioned that "the extensive support provided by the Emirati leadership to the development of the space sector forms the foundation for the UAE's vision to achieve successive accomplishments in space studies, positioning the country among advanced nations in this field, which significantly contributes to changing the future of humanity for the better." In this context, he noted that "the sons of the UAE repeatedly prove their efficiency and capabilities, which the world recognizes in the space sector," emphasizing that “the continuous successes of various Emirati projects will be achieved through our upcoming initiatives.”
He also stated that "UAE astronaut Saleh Al Amri is adding new experiences to the Emirati project in the space sector, thanks to his efforts and perseverance that led us to the success of this mission." He explained that "the UAE's participation in this mission, alongside four simulation astronauts from the Moscow Institute of Biomedical Research and the US space agency, underscores the immense trust the world places in our national capabilities and reflects the contributions national projects add to the space sector to serve humanity and benefit the global scientific community."
