(MENAFN) Emirati astronaut Hazzaa Al-Mansoori has made history by becoming the first Arab to be appointed as an increment lead for an International Space Station (ISS) expedition. According to the Emirates News Agency, Al-Mansoori will be responsible for guiding the ISS crew through every aspect of the Expedition 69 mission. This ground-breaking mission, which includes Sultan Al-Neyadi, the first Arab astronaut to embark on a long-duration spaceflight, has already marked a milestone for the Arab region and the UAE since the Soyuz MS-22 spacecraft undocked on March 28.
The Expedition 69 crew is set to conduct multiple experiments during their mission, which will investigate the effects of microgravity on material combustion to enhance spacecraft safety, test a novel tool for deep-space immune monitoring, and advance research on 3D-cultured cardiac muscle tissue to evaluate human cardiac function in microgravity. Al-Neyadi will also test samples for microorganisms from outside the space station.
As increment lead, Al-Mansoori will shoulder a critical responsibility for the seamless integration and execution of ISS crew activities throughout Expedition 69. This will involve a range of duties, such as developing, managing, implementing, and communicating mission integration procedures. Al-Mansoori's appointment to this position is a testament to his exceptional skills and knowledge, according to Salem Humaid Al-Marri, Director-General of Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Center.
In addition to highlighting the UAE's expanding contribution to the field of space exploration, Al-Mansoori's appointment also sets the stage for more Arab astronauts to participate in space exploration. Al-Marri expressed excitement at the prospect of Al-Mansoori and Al-Neyadi collaborating to conduct ground-breaking experiments that will broaden our knowledge of space and understanding of life in microgravity. Overall, Expedition 69 represents the longest Arab space mission to date and is a significant achievement for the UAE and the Arab region.
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