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Emirati astronaut Sultan Al-Neyadi becomes the first Arab to perform a spacewalk.
Dubai:
Emirati astronaut Sultan Al-Neyadi became the first Arab to perform a spacewalk when he stepped out of the International Space Station (ISS) and completed a spacewalk during Expedition 69.
The historic spacewalk, which lasted 7.01 hours in the vacuum of space on the starboard side of the ISS truss structure, accomplished two key goals.
One of the goals of the extravehicular activity (EVA), undertaken by Sultan Al-Neyadi and NASA flight engineer Stephen Bowen, was to complete a series of preparatory tasks, including the successful completion of cable routing.
The completion of these cable works is a prelude to the installation of the space station’s fourth deployed solar array, called the International Space Station Expanded Solar Array (iROSA), which is scheduled to be delivered on the upcoming SpaceX Dragon cargo mission. The next goal is Retrieve a critical Radio Frequency Group (RFG) unit.
The communications antenna, or RFG, will be temporarily affixed to the space station as it is difficult to remove. Before embarking on the spacewalk, Sultan Al-Neyadi and Bowen underwent a two-hour oxygen purge to rid their bodies of nitrogen.
Warren Hoiberg and Frank Rubio then assisted the astronauts in their spacesuits—a major operation in itself. Sultan Al-Neyadi and Bowen spent another hour donning their spacesuits and safety gear before entering the airlock and gradually reducing the pressure to a safe level to open the outer hatch.
Before a spacewalk, a thorough set of checks are performed to ensure the safety of the astronauts. During their high-altitude walk outside the International Space Station, Sultan Al-Neyadi and Bowen had to contend with two major challenges: radiation and extreme temperatures.
The surrounding environment in space can reach scorching temperatures of up to 120 degrees Celsius in sunlight, and drop to -150 degrees Celsius when the sun is not visible.
While spacesuits are suited to handle all of this, careful management of spacesuits during missions is also a task at hand.
MBRSC Chairman Hamad Obaid Al-Mansoori said: “UAE Mission 2 is a truly inspiring endeavor that embodies the Emirati spirit of excellence and determination to achieve greatness in all our pursuits.”
“From its inception as the longest Arab space mission, to the historic appointment of the first Arab incremental leader in an ISS expedition, to now the breakthrough of the first Arab spacewalk by Sultan Al Neiyadi Achievement, this mission has set a new standard of excellence in space exploration.”
MBRSC Director General Salem Humaid Al-Marri said: “Sultan Al-Neyadi’s spacewalk generated unprecedented excitement and interest among the public, underscoring the immense significance of this mission.”
“While Sudan is conducting groundbreaking scientific experiments aboard the International Space Station, the addition of the spacewalk demonstrates another aspect of the UAE’s exceptional expertise in space exploration. This landmark achievement will play a key role in the return of the International Space Station to full operation capabilities, reinforcing the UAE’s position as a major contributor to the global space community,” said Mr Al-Marri.
Sultan Al-Neyadi and his Crew-6 team will soon complete their two-month journey into space after launching March 2 from Cape Canaveral, Florida. In his second month on the space station, Sultan Al-Neyadi conducted several experiments.
The UAE Astronaut Program is one of the projects managed by the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Center under the UAE National Space Program and is funded by the ICT Fund of the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority to support research and development in the ICT sector in the UAE and promote the country’s Integration on the global stage.
(Aside from the title, this story is unedited by NDTV staff and published via a syndicated feed.)
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