Sultan Al Neyadi completes one month on the International Space Station

From studying heart tissue to fixing the station's toilet, the Emirati astronaut has had a busy first month

UAE astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi shared his first selfies taken in front of the cupola - an observatory on the ISS - that shows stunning views of the Earth. Photo: Sultan Al Neyadi Twitter

UAE astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi has completed one month on the International Space Station.

He is now an experienced astronaut, having spent much of his time doing maintenance work and complex science investigations since arriving there on March 3.

The six-month trip is the Arab world's first long-duration space mission, helping place the UAE and Dr Al Neyadi, 41, in the history books.

"No matter where I am in the world, my path always leads me home. And even from Space, the site of our beautiful country takes my breath away every time," Dr Al Neyadi tweeted on March 14, along with his first photo of the UAE from the orbiting laboratory.

Now that he has lived on the ISS for a full 30 days, The National takes a look at his activities so far.

Science experiments

Dr Al Neyadi has been assigned more than 200 experiments and research work by Nasa and various UAE universities.

He spent his first week getting used to microgravity and then harvesting tomatoes for his scientific work and the crew's consumption.

Astronauts have been growing fruits and vegetables in space for many years. This is vital to meeting the goal of establishing a base on the Moon or other planets and also helps to reduce their dependence on resupply missions sent from Earth.

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)

More experiments and fresh supplies arrived at the ISS about a week later, which has kept Dr Al Neyadi and his colleagues busy.

He has been studying human heart tissue as part of research that could help scientists back on Earth devise therapy and medications to prevent people from developing heart disease.

He was also the test subject of another experiment that will help researchers study astronauts' sleep quality in space.

Dr Al Neyadi wore a sleep monitoring headband for a full day last week and then transferred the data to the European Physiology Module laptop.

He has also been testing technology in space that 3D-prints knee cartilage tissue.

Called the BioFabrication Facility, the portable equipment could one day allow doctors to treat injuries in space and remote locations on Earth.

First haircut and spare time

After spending nearly three weeks on the ISS, Dr Al Neyadi was long overdue for a haircut.

His Nasa colleague Frank Rubio trimmed the Emirati astronaut's hair on Wednesday using a machine hooked to a suction tube, which ensured there was no hair floating around.

The astronauts do get some spare time on the ISS, with most taking the opportunity to call their families, read, film content for social media or nap.

Photography

Dr Al Neyadi has been using a lot of his spare time to do photography work for the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre and his own social media channels.

Astronauts are required to use professional cameras to take photos of Earth, as they go around the planet every 90 minutes, seeing 16 sunrises and 16 sunsets.

Sultan Al Neyadi captures a stunning image of the UAE from the International Space Station. Photo: Dr Al Neyadi Twitter

So far, Dr Al Neyadi has captured the UAE and a sandstorm in the Sahara desert, in Egypt.

He has also sent back photos and videos of himself and the science work he has been doing.

"The words of late Sheikh Zayed, 'Egypt's renaissance is a renaissance for all Arabs', remain just as powerful and relevant today as when they were first spoken," he tweeted on Tuesday along with a video of Egypt.

"His enduring love for Egypt has seeped into the heart of Emiratis nationwide.

"As I gaze down from space on this land, I extend my greetings to Egypt and its warm people."

Calling home

As the first Arab astronaut to go on a long-duration mission, Dr Al Neyadi has been tasked with a lot of public outreach activities.

He uses some of his time to do live video chats with pupils in UAE schools, has recorded videos that can be used in classrooms and also regularly posts updates on social media.

His first live chat from the ISS was held with Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai.

Repair work

Astronauts need to have a versatile skillset while in space.

They are in charge of doing scientific work but also help to keep the space station in good shape.

Dr Al Neyadi also did maintenance work, including helping to fix the toilet and fixing the paint in the bathroom.

What's next?

With five more months remaining in the mission, Dr Al Neyadi will use the time to complete all of the experiments and work assigned to him by Nasa, the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre and UAE universities.

He will also be welcoming two Saudi astronauts arriving at the station in mid-May for a 10-day mission.

This means there will be three Arabs on the space station together at the same time - a record number.

Dr Al Neyadi could also be possibly performing the first spacewalk by an Arab astronaut.