Dubai, May 11 / WAM / The Mohammed bin Rashid Space Center announced today the start of the second phase of the second study within the Emirates Space Simulation Programme, with the participation of Emirati Sharif Al Rumaithi, who entered the Human Exploration Mission Simulation Research Complex “Hera” today, Saturday, in… 2 AM UAE time.
The crew for the second phase includes Jason Lee, Stephanie Navarro, Bayomi Wijesekara, and Al Rumaithi. The crew will work and live inside the Hera complex for 45 days, that is, until June 24.
Hera is a unique three-story habitat designed to enable scientists during this analog mission to study how crew members adapt to isolation, confinement, and conditions far from Earth, by replicating space-like conditions on Earth.
Crew members will conduct scientific research and operational tasks throughout their mission simulation to the Red Planet, including “walking” on the surface of Mars using virtual reality. They will also experience increased communications delays of up to 5 minutes with Mission Control as they approach Mars.
Regarding the launch of this phase, His Excellency Salem Humaid Al Marri, Director General of the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre, said: “The UAE Space Simulation Program is important in our vision to integrate advanced scientific research with our strategic goals, making the UAE a leader in the field of space technology at the regional level.” Through the ground simulations that we undertake in cooperation with our partners at NASA, we carefully prepare our cadres to face the enormous challenges of space exploration, in addition to strengthening the position of the United Arab Emirates and the Arab world as pivotal players in the international space community, and continuing the process of inspiring generations. To achieve more achievements in this distinguished field.”
The second study within the Emirates Space Simulation Program includes 4 different stages, and includes conducting 18 studies on human health, where the experiments, which will be conducted on Earth, will evaluate the physiological, behavioral and psychological responses of the crew members in an environment similar to what the astronauts will face on a trip to Mars.
In addition to international efforts, the United Arab Emirates University, the Mohammed bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, and the American University of Sharjah are each contributing 6 studies in various fields.