How UAE's first astronaut, space doctor will assist Sultan AlNeyadi's historic spacewalk from Earth

All eyes will be on UAE's Sultan AlNeyadi as he takes the first step for the Arab world's historic spacewalk on Friday. It will be streamed live across various channels. AlNeyadi's family will be watching; the UAE and the world will be observing.

But there will be two teams that will closely monitor AlNeyadi's every step and movement – from checking his vital signs to prepping and suiting up the 300-pound spacesuit; to opening the hatch and stepping out of an airlock and actual egress from the International Space Station (ISS); tethering and securing of foot restraints; retrieval and stowing of tools; to the moment he returns to the airlock for ingress and conclusion of the extravehicular activity or spacewalk.

In an exclusive interview on the eve of AlNeyadi's and Nasa astronaut Stephen Bowen's spacewalk, Adnan AlRais, mission manager of the UAE Astronaut Programme, told Khaleej Times that aside from Nasa's Johnson Space Centre, the Emirati team at the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) will be very busy in following all the action from the ISS.

"MBRSC is connected to Houston and other stations of the international space community. We have full access to every video (from ISS); we have been involved in the planning process. We have access to all communications from the astronauts and on the ground. Our (MBRSC) team will be coordinating with Houston about anything required from our side," AlNeyadi shared.

Hazzaa’s role

In fact, one person who will be extra busy on the ground is pioneering UAE astronaut Hazzaa AlMansoori, who will be the point of contact between the ground team and ISS crew during real-time operations for Expedition 69.

MBRSC, early this month, announced that AlMansoori, the first Emirati who went to space, is the Increment Lead "responsible for preparing, implementing and overseeing the execution of the mission".

His role entails more than just transmitting data. "It includes understanding and appreciating the crew's challenges and triumphs in space," AlMansoori earlier said, adding: "We aim to advance human space exploration through our collective efforts to support Expedition 69."

AlRais said AlMansoori, who is currently at Johnson Space Centre, will lead the follow-up activities for the first spacewalk of ISS Expedition 69 that started in March this year.

Space doctor

Aside from AlMansoori, another vital member of the team is Dr Hanan AlSuwaidi, who is the flight doctor for the longest Arab space mission in history. She monitors the health of AlNeyadi while he is in space.

"Dr AlSuwaidi is also in Houston, working with other flight surgeons. They have reviewed AlNeyadi and Bowen's health status and are both ready for the big day," AlRais noted.

He added the medical team would also conduct remote post-spacewalk health checks and would follow up on the physical condition of the spacewalking astronauts in the next couple of days.

• UAE astronaut Sultan AlNeyadi gets ready for Arab world's first spacewalk on Friday