UAE astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi has started carrying out science experiments on substances and liquids at the International Space Station.
On Wednesday, he shared a video on Twitter, discussing the tests in which he will be involved.
"For more than 20 years, humans have been carrying out experiments on board International Space Station," he said.
"I am at the Columbus laboratory and we are doing experiments on substances and liquids, as well as on plant cultivation."
Columbus is a pressurised lab on the ISS, which Nasa says allows researchers on the ground, aided by the station’s crew, to conduct research in a weightless environment.
Dr Al Neyadi, 41, said such experiments are important to improve the quality of human life.
"Why do we do this? All these things help us in our daily life to develop construction materials and materials that we can use in everyday life. It's used to modify plants and increase produce and a lot of other things that benefit mankind," he said.
"Some experiments and studies are being carried out on us, astronauts, to see the impact of the lack of gravity on human beings and how dangerous it is travelling to space. In the future, there are plans to return to the Moon and go to Mars for the first time and these studies will help.
"The studies also aim to find out the effect of lack of gravity on osteoporosis, DNA mutations and blood vessels.
"Thank God, the UAE took the first step in 2019 when colleague Hazza Al Mansouri reached this place [the ISS] and today we complete this path with a six-month mission.
"During these six months, I will be taking part in many scientific experiments and the results will be shared with you during this period."
On Tuesday, it was announced that Dr Al Neyadi would take part in a study of human heart tissue.
It is hoped the research will help scientists on Earth to devise therapy and medication that could prevent people developing heart disease.
Dr Al Neyadi is the second Emirati to travel to space and the second Arab to board the ISS.
During his time there, he will take part in more than 200 experiments assigned by Nasa and 19 involving UAE universities.
His mission comes after five years of rigorous training around the world.
He was one of the first two astronauts chosen by the UAE in 2018, alongside Mr Al Mansouri, who became the first Emirati in space the following year.
Dr Al Neyadi trained in Russia, parts of Europe and Canada, in addition to completing Nasa’s basic training programme in Houston. He also underwent mission-specific training for this trip.
He has learnt to speak Russian, spent hours each day in space simulators to familiarise his body with the effects of microgravity, trained to fly supersonic jets and completed spacewalk training.
Sultan Al Neyadi's life on the International Space Station - in pictures
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Emirati astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi has released more images of his historic space walk from the International Space Station on social media. @Astro_Alneyadi twitter -
On Friday, Dr Al Neyadi became the Arab world's first astronaut to make space walk when he joined US astronaut Steve Bowen on ISS maintenance. @Astro_Alneyadi twitter -
Dr Al Neyadi spent more than six hours outside the space station. @Astro_Alneyadi twitter -
Photos of Emirati astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi's space walk show him completing what Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai and President of the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre, described as a 'remarkable' accomplishment. @Astro_Alneyadi twitter -
Sultan Al Neyadi, UAE Astronaut showing water during his first ‘ A Call with Space’ video chat with the public held at Dubai Opera in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National -
Nasa astronaut Frank Rubio gives UAE astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi a haircut on board the International Space Station. Photo: MBRSC -
Sultan Al Neyadi shares images of sandstorm in Sahara Desert from space -
Sultan Al Neyadi shares images of sandstorm in Sahara Desert from space -
Dr Sultan Al Neyadi shared a video showing Cairo from space. Image: Screengrab -
Sultan Al Neyadi shows breathtaking views of the crescent moon from space. -
Astronaut Koichi Wakata and Sultan Al Neyadi inside the International Space Station's Quest airlock. Nasa -
Sultan Al Neyadi, UAE Astronaut during his first ‘ A Call with Space’ video chat with the public held at Dubai Opera in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National -
Dr Al Neyadi carries out experiments at the Columbus laboratory. Photo: Sultan Al Neyadi@Twitter -
UAE astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi in the Japanese KIBO module of the ISS. Photo: MBRSC -
UAE astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi has shared his first selfies taken from inside the International Space Station. Photo: Sultan Al Neyadi Twitter -
The images were snapped in front of the cupola - an observatory on the station - that shows stunning views of the Earth. Photo: Sultan Al Neyadi Twitter -
This photo provided by NASA shows Emerati astronaut Sultan al-Neyadi during an interview at the International Space Station on Tuesday, March 7, 2023. The first Arab astronaut assigned to a long spaceflight is still adjusting to life off the planet, five days after rocketing to the International Space Station. (NASA via AP) -
Sultan Al Neyadi’s, UAE Astronaut, speaking from ISS to UAE leaders. photo: Video screen grab / Nasa -
In this image from NASA TV, the four astronauts including United Arab Emirates' Sultan al-Neyadi, third left gather, during the welcoming ceremony, on the International Space Station, Friday, March 3, 2023. A new crew from the United States, Russia and United Arab Emirates has arrived at the International Space Station. The new arrivals include United Arab Emirates' Sultan al-Neyadi, the first astronaut from the Arab world who will spend an extended time in space. Al-Neyadi is only the second person from the UAE to rocket into orbit. (NASA TV via AP)
