Sultan Al Neyadi explores the movement of liquids within closed confines.

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

The Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) on Friday revealed astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi’s participation in the Fluidics experiment aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The experiment, held in collaboration with the European Space Agency (ESA) and French space agency, CNES, seeks to unravel the intricacies of liquid motion within spacecraft tanks and the wave turbulence on liquid surfaces.

The investigation delves deep into 'sloshing' – the movement of liquids within closed confines. By understanding this behaviour, the industry can aspire to design more effective satellite fuel-systems, which could significantly reduce costs and extend satellite life. Furthermore, a segment of the study focused on surface turbulence in fluids. Without the impact of gravity, researchers could analyse surface forces' behaviour, simplifying the phenomenon's understanding.

Al Neyadi shared insights directly from the ISS, saying, "Understanding fluid dynamics, especially in the challenging environment of space, has vast implications. We grapple with complexities of fluid behaviour, from the simple act of extracting the last drop from a pouch to the crucial process of delivering fuel to spacecraft engines under extreme conditions."

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The implications of the Fluidics experiment also reach beyond space exploration. By enhancing the understanding of liquid behaviour, it's paving the way for a more profound understanding of Earth's vast oceans and the planet's intricate climate system. The Fluidics experiment is a continuation of a series of studies which was also undertaken by astronaut Hazzaa Al Mansoori in 2019.

Adnan Al Rais, Mission Manager, UAE Astronaut Programme, said, “The multiple outcomes of this research – benefiting space missions, enhancing Earth's environmental knowledge, and potentially improving climate prediction systems – showcases the holistic impact of our space endeavour. Collaborating with esteemed partners like the European Space Agency and CNES, we're not only unravelling the complexities of fluid behaviour in space, but also connecting the micro intricacies of space to the macro dynamics of our planet, all for the benefit of humanity.”

Rémi Canton, Head of human spaceflight projects at CADMOS/CNES said, “CNES is delighted astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi could pursue the Fluidics experiment. Fluidics was developed by CNES/CADMOS for ESA astronaut Thomas Pesquet’s Proxima mission in 2016-2017 and enabled a first cooperation with MBRSC when Emirati astronaut Hazzaa Al Mansoori operated Fluidics aboard the ISS in September 2019. Overall, a dozen scientific runs have been operated on Fluidics, and Emirati astronauts significantly contributed to its success. Along with the Dream experiment, it illustrates the comprehensive and successful international cooperation between MBRSC, ESA and CNES.”

The UAE Astronaut Programme is one of the projects managed by MBRSC under the UAE’s National Space Programme and funded by the ICT Fund of the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA), which aims to support research and development in the ICT sector in the UAE and promote the country’s integration on the global stage.

About Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre

MBRSC is an advanced scientific and technological hub, responsible for making the UAE a world leader in space services and exploration.

Established in 2006, the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) started out with five engineers, who took it upon themselves to develop their capabilities and expand their knowledge in the field of space, relying on strong will and solid determination. Since then, the centre has continued its journey to be the incubator of the “UAE National Space Programme”. The MBRSC has undertaken the tasks of building, developing, and operating a number of Earth observation satellites, providing imaging services, analysing and studying them, as well as producing relevant data to scientific communities and research centres around the world. Among the satellites that the centre operates are DubaiSat-1 & DubaiSat-2. The MBRSC is also responsible for KhalifaSat, celebrated as the first satellite that was fully built by Emiratis in 2018. Recently, the centre revealed its plan to develop the new satellite MBZ-SAT, which is expected to be launched at the end of 2023 and to be the latest in the field of high-resolution imaging from outer space.