‘Shareef AlRomaithi Joins New Stage of 2nd Analog Study’

Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) has initiated phase two of the second analog study as part of the UAE Analog Program, with Emirati crew member Shareef AlRomaithi stepping into the Human Exploration Research Analog (HERA) habitat at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, USA.

Joining AlRomaithi on the 45-day mission inside the HERA facility are Jason Lee, Stephanie Navarro, and Piyumi Wijesekara, along with Jose Baca and Brandon Kent. This study aims to explore how crew members adapt to isolation, confinement, and remote conditions similar to those experienced during long-duration space missions. The three-story habitat replicates space-like conditions on Earth.

The team will be carrying out operational tasks and scientific research during this simulated journey through HERA. Tasks include managing communication delays with Mission Control Center to simulate the approach to Mars and virtually exploring the planet’s surface. The crew is scheduled to exit the facility on June 24.

Salem Humaid AlMarri, Director General of MBRSC, emphasized the significance of the UAE Analog Program in preparing UAE cadres for deep space exploration. This program aligns with the UAE’s goal of becoming a leader in space technology globally and regionally. Collaboration with NASA in conducting Earth-based simulations is vital in achieving these objectives and positioning the UAE and the Arab world as key players in the international space community.

The second analog study under the UAE Analog Program consists of four phases and includes eighteen human health investigations on Earth. These investigations aim to understand crew members’ behavioral, physiological, and psychological responses in environments similar to those encountered on future missions to the moon and Mars. Scientific experiments from institutions like the United Arab Emirates University (UAEU), Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU), and American University of Sharjah (AUS) will be integrated into the analog study, showcasing the UAE’s involvement in cutting-edge research initiatives.