Two Emiratis prepare for eight-month simulated mission to Mars

One of two men will take part in Sirius 20/21, a spaceflight simulation study that begins in November

Saleh Al Ameri (front R) will take part in a simulated mission, being confined in an isolated environment in Moscow along with participants from US and Russia. Photo: Dubai Media Office

Members of the Sirius 20/21 mission at a training centre in Moscow. Photo: Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre

Abdullah Al Hammadi makes preparations for the Sirius 20/21project, which started on November 4. He has been chosen as a backup astronaut. Photo: Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre

The project will measure the psychological and physiological effect of extreme environments, such as space travel, on humans. Photo: Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre

The crew making last-minute preparations for the simulation of a mission to Mars. Photo: Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre

The crew will be isolated for the duration of the eight-month experiment to replicate living conditions onboard a flight to Mars. Photo: Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre

The Sirius 20/21 mission will replicate a trip to Mars. Photo: Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre

Saleh Al Ameri (L) was one of two Emiratis shortlisted for the mission. Photo: Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre

The crew will conduct more than 60 experiments and their findings will help with planning future long-term flights into space. Photo: Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre

Crew members who will embark on the training exercise. Photo: Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre

The mission is expected to provide important data to help plan trips to the red planet. Photo: Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre

Saleh Al Ameri prepares for the mission. Photo: Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre

Saleh Al Ameri and fellow crew members in training for the Sirius 20/21 mission. Photo: Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre

Abdullah Al Hammadi or Saleh Al Ameri, both from the UAE, were both shortlisted to spend months of isolation with an international crew of six people inside Moscow’s NEK centre. The former will be a backup while Mr Al Ameri will participate. Photo: Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre

The conditions on the Sirius 20/21 mission will replicate those on a journey to Mars. Photo: Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre

The crew members. Photo: Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre

The two Emiratis shortlisted for eight months in a Mars mission simulator are making final preparations for the task that requires them to live in almost complete isolation.

Abdullah Al Hammadi, 35, and Saleh Al Ameri, 31, are ready for the mission, but only one will be chosen to spend months with an international crew of six people inside Moscow's NEK centre. The other would be a backup.

The project – Sirius 20/21 – will measure the psychological and physiological impact of extreme environments, such as space travel, on humans.

The crew will conduct more than 60 experiments and the project will help in the planning of long-term flights into space.

I think the thing we will miss the most will be our family and friends but we will try and stay in touch with them in our free time

Saleh Al Ameri

"I think the thing we will miss the most will be our family and friends, but we will try to stay in touch with them in our free time,” Mr Al Ameri said.

He spoke at an online press conference on Sunday, a day after the second anniversary of Hazza Al Mansouri becoming the first Emirati in space.

The “analogue astronauts” on the project would be able to communicate with the outside world via emails and video messaging, the conference was told.

Analogue astronaut is the term used for people taking part in such simulations.

One of the most significant challenges for the Emiratis has been adapting to life in Moscow, Mr Al Hammadi said.

Abdullah Al Hammadi, left, and Saleh Al Ameri will take part in the experiment at a Russian research centre. Courtesy: Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre

“We’ve had to learn Russian, and it’s a completely different environment for us here in Moscow to work with so many people from various nationalities,” he said.

The project’s science lead, Shaikha Al Falasi, said the experiments over the course of the mission’s eight months could have crucial implications for the future of long-term space missions.

“It’s going to tell us a lot about how the body reacts during such situations both physically and mentally,” she said.

“Just look at Covid-19, when people were only isolated for a few weeks and the impact it had on people.”

Many nations have put scientists and astronauts through isolation tests for space travel.

A European Space Agency flight crew experienced 18 months of isolation in a sealed device in a Moscow suburb between 2007 and 2011.

The crew was exposed to stress tests, including a complete communications blackout.

In 2017, Nasa placed six astronauts in a dome in Hawaii which simulated the conditions of life on Mars.

They were given supplies, including canned tuna and powdered cheese, and wore sensors to measure voice levels and their proximity to others.

This enabled researchers to collate data on whether the astronauts were arguing or avoiding each other.

The UAE’s involvement with the Sirius Mission will play an integral role in gathering data for the country’s plans to build a colony on Mars by the year 2117.

“The mission of simulating life in space is of great importance, as it will enable us to ensure the safety and health of astronauts during long-term space exploration trips,” said Adnan Al Rais, Mars 2117 programme manager for Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC).

“This mission will not be limited to the Mars 2117 project, but will cover the entire Emirates Astronaut Programme, to include manned missions that our astronauts will carry out in the future as well as other ambitious space programmes as envisioned by our leaders.”

Some universities in the UAE will offer experiment ideas for the Sirius mission.

“With the announcement of the start of the Sirius mission in November, we at the MBRSC were keen to select and equip our astronauts according to strict mission protocols based on standards established with our international partners,” said Yousuf Hamad Al Shaibani, director-general, MBRSC.

“They will carry out some of the experiments presented by some universities in the UAE as part of our agreement with the scientific community in the country.”

Meet the Emiratis who have joined UAE's astronaut corps - in pictures

The UAE's new astronauts Nora Al Matrooshi and Mohammed Al Mulla at the Address Hotel, Dubai Mall in Dubai. All pictures by Chris Whiteoak

Emirati astronaut Nora Al Matrooshi said the opportunity to travel into space would be the realisation of a childhood dream

Mohammed Al Mulla will join an elite list of Emirati astronauts

Mohammed Al Mulla and Nora Al Matrooshi. Chris Whiteoak/ The National

Saeed Al Kormastaji, UAE astronaut office manager, speaks during a press conference introducing the country's newest astronauts to the world

Saeed Al Kormastaji, UAE astronaut office manager, at the press conference in Dubai

Saeed Al Kormastaji, UAE astronaut office manager (L), Salem Al Marri, UAE Astronaut Programme manager and Yousuf Al Shaibani, director general of MBRSC (M). with the UAE's new astronauts, Nora Al Matrooshi and Mohammed Al Mulla at the Address Hotel, Dubai Mall in Dubai