Weather of Arabia - The scientific mission "AX-2" arrives within hours, carrying the first two Saudi astronauts to head to the International Space Station, Rayana Bernawi and Ali Al-Qarni.
The mission, which will last 10 days, 8 of which will be at the International Space Station, aims to conduct pioneering scientific and research experiments, the results of which are expected to contribute to strengthening Saudi Arabia's global position in the field of space exploration, serving humanity, and the role of its research centers in this field.
During their trip, the two astronauts will undergo 11 research and scientific experiments in the fields of human research, cell sciences, and artificial seeding experiments in a microgravity environment (or what is known as bypassing zero gravity), in addition to 3 educational interactive experiences with school students in Saudi Arabia, bringing the total number of experiments to 14.
King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center and its team of scientists are cooperating with the Saudi Space Commission to experiment with cell sciences and how the inflammatory response changes in space, especially changes in the lifetime of messenger RNA, which is an essential part of the production of proteins that lead to inflammation. Using an immune cell model to simulate the inflammatory response to drug therapy in the microgravity environment of space.
King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, in cooperation with the Commission as well, will supervise the seeding experiment in a microgravity environment aimed at simulating the cloud seeding process that is used in the Kingdom and many countries to increase precipitation rates. The experiment aims to help scientists and researchers devise new ways to provide suitable conditions for humans - including the work of artificial rain - to live in space colonies on the surface of the Moon and Mars.
The “Sadeem” Research and Development Company, in cooperation with the Saudi Space Authority, will lead six experiments in the field of human research to learn about human adaptation in space flight and its safety on the brain, and to understand the effects that occur on human health while in space.
During these experiments, the functions of human vital organs and systems will be tested in a microgravity environment, such as measuring blood flow to the brain, assessing intracranial pressure, electrical activity of the brain, and monitoring changes in the optic nerve; Which helps make space travel safer for humans in the future.
The experiments include taking blood and biological samples to examine biomarkers associated with spaceflight, and to map changes in length, structure and epigenetics of genes.
Saudi male and female students will participate in scientific experiments aboard the International Space Station, to enhance knowledge awareness of space science and its contribution to improving the quality of life on Earth, by comparing their experiences on Earth with those conducted by the Saudi crew aboard the International Space Station, which ensures Instant interaction, as students will be able to communicate with the Saudi astronauts directly by conducting their experiments together, in cooperation with the Ministry of Education, the King Abdul Aziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity (Mawhiba), Riyadh schools, and Misk schools.
The flight is part of the Kingdom's program for astronauts, which is one of the programs that aims, in its first phase, to send two astronauts on a manned flight to the International Space Station, at an altitude of approximately 420 km above the Earth's surface.
The program is expected to contribute to consolidating the Kingdom's position and placing it among the leading countries, inspiring future generations regarding space technologies and its importance, promoting scientific research in various fields of space, and strengthening national partnerships and cooperation with relevant authorities.
The program also bears special importance in achieving the Kingdom's ambitions and the goals of "Vision 2030" in the field of space, in addition to the effective contributions of the program to raising the Kingdom's position in the space sector, and placing it among the leading countries in this field by 2030.
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