UAE astronauts lift spirit of children with cancer during hospital visit
Nora AlMatrooshi, Mohammad AlMulla inspire young patients, answer their questions
Sharjah: As many as 25 children undergoing cancer treatment in Dubai met their space heroes recently, drawing inspiration and knowledge from UAE astronauts Nora AlMatrooshi and Mohammad AlMulla.
Friends of Cancer Patients (FOCP) organised the visit at Mediclinic Hospital Dubai, led by the Emirati astronauts from the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC).
The visit sought to provide the children with emotional support and enable them to explore space and gain insights into the journeys of astronauts. Moreover, the young patients were encouraged to express their ideas, feelings, and dreams. Their questions and inquiries about outer space were answered as they interacted with the astronauts and listened to their experiences.
Space stories
Nora, the first Emirati female astronaut, educated the kids on the ascent to outer space using rockets that carry spaceships from Earth’s surface. She also discussed space missions, the International Space Station and its systems, how to stay on the station for long periods, communication with ground stations, and robot control.
AlMulla shared his experience, starting with his selection in the second batch of MBRSC’s UAE Astronaut Programme, to graduating from NASA’s Astronaut Candidate Class and the training he underwent in the USA as part of it. He answered the children’s questions about spacesuits as well as helmets and special garments that protect astronauts from changes in atmospheric pressure.
Some of the children said they wish to float in space; others expressed their dreams to live on the moon or pick up some stars and hide them under their pillows.
At the end of the visit, FOCP and MBRSC distributed a gifts and games to the participants to encourage them and boost their morale for their treatment journey.