Science on SSA-HSF1 Mission: Exploring Experiments and Impact
Day: Wednesday 4 October
Time: 10:15 - 11:15 AZT (GMT+4)
Location: Heydar Aliyev Center (HAC) Auditorium
As part of its recently launched sustainable Human Space Flight (HSF) program, aimed at conducting diverse missions to expand Saudi's contributions to science, The Saudi Space Agency (SSA) has sent two astronauts, including the first Arab female astronaut, to the International Space Station (ISS) for a ten-day mission aboard SSA-HSF1 mission.
During their time aboard the ISS, the astronauts conducted 11 research experiments in a microgravity environment. They also engaged in three interactive educational outreach experiments with students in the Kingdom, bringing the total number of experiments to 14, focusing on human research, cell sciences, and cloud seeding.
Researchers from the King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Dr. Khalid S. Abu Khabar and Dr. Wijdan Ahmadi, conducted cell science experiments to understand the impact of space on the inflammatory response and RNA lifespan. A cloud seeding experiment in microgravity, simulating increased rainfall rates, was supervised by Dr. Ashraf Farhat from King Fahd University for Petroleum and Minerals.
The findings from these experiments will support the development of suitable living conditions for humans in space colonies on the Moon and Mars. Additionally, Dr. Bader Shirah's team from Nebula Research and Development Company developed six experiments on human research, focusing on adaptation during spaceflights, brain impact assessments, and effects on human health in space.
Over 12000 Saudi students actively participated in ISS outreach experiments to enhance their understanding of space science and its potential for improving life on Earth.
This GNF session will include scientists and astronauts directly involved in SSA-HSF1 to discuss the experiments from the perspectives of the primary investigators, astronauts' execution, and students’ outreach, as well as the research outcomes and impacts.
Organized by:
Moderator
Speakers
Khalid S. ABU KHABAR
Researcher, 4 Cell Science Experiments, King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre
Saudi Arabia
Wijdan AHMADI
Researcher, 4 Cell Science Experiments, King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre
Saudi Arabia
Bader SHIRAH
Researcher, 6 Nervous System Experiments, King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre
Saudi Arabia
