Obaid Al Suwaidi has initiated a manned simulation mission to Mars, marking the fourth phase of the Emirates Space Simulation Programme. This mission, taking place at NASA's HERA habitat, will last for 45 days.
The MBR Space Centre announced via social media that the mission simulates a journey to Mars, incorporating 18 human health experiments, six of which are developed by Emirati universities.
Eng. Salem Al Marri, Director of the MBR Space Centre, expressed support for Al Suwaidi, emphasizing the study's importance for understanding human health in preparation for future long-duration spaceflights.
Joining Al Suwaidi are crew members Kristen Magas, Tiffany Snyder, and Robert Wilson. The isolation period at the HERA habitat is scheduled to conclude on December 16.
Throughout the mission, the crew will conduct various experiments, including digital reality simulations of Martian surface traversal, vegetable cultivation, and shrimp farming.
The primary aim of HERA's studies is to assess the long-term effects of isolation and confinement on the crew's performance and health. The team will also experience simulated communication delays expected during a Mars approach, which can last up to five minutes each way.
NASA's HERA habitat spans 650 square feet at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. This unique three-storey facility allows scientists to explore crew responses to isolation in conditions that mimic space environments, aiding research on the challenges of future long-duration missions.