Dubai: The Mohammad Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) on Saturday announced that 39 out of 95 candidates passed the physical and psychological tests to qualify for the preliminary list of the UAE Astronaut Programme.
The programme was launched by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, as part of the UAE National Space Programme. It aims to train and prepare a team of Emiratis to be sent to space for various scientific missions. This is part of the preparations to send the first Emirati astronaut to the International Space Station (ISS) in April 2019.
In the initial interviewing process, 39 candidates qualified, passing extensive tests and interviews conducted by qualified specialists from the MBRSC. The tests included a clinical test and a range of activities to measure intelligence, aptitude, neurocognitive ability, personality, and working memory. Following these tests, one-to-one interviews were conducted by the initial selection committee. The candidates’ personalities were evaluated in various mental and psychological aspects to ensure that they can endure the harsh and unusual conditions in space.
Yousuf Al Sheibani, director-general of the MBRSC, said: “The MBRSC works according to the directives of [Shaikh Mohammad] to build national capabilities in the field of space science and take this sector to strategic levels. The UAE Astronaut Programme reflects the efforts of the MBRSC to support the national policy in the field of space, and contribute to strengthening the UAE’s position among leading countries in the space sector. We are proud of all the Emirati talents who registered for this ambitious programme, and we are happy with their persistence to reach highest levels.”
He added: “The next stage will be crucial for the selection of the first batch of Emirati astronaut corps who will participate in scientific missions in space. The final interviews will begin on July 3.”
The 39 shortlisted candidates will undergo the final assessment stage, which will be supervised by a team of experts from the MBRSC, in addition to international experts from international space agencies. The final evaluation phase includes interviews conducted by the committee to have a comprehensive evaluation of each candidate as per global standards.
Salem Al Merri, assistant director-general for scientific and technical affairs at MBRSC, said: “In this [current] stage, the initial interview committee of the UAE Astronaut Programme worked extensively with the 39 candidates. The committee focused its decision on integrated selection strategies taking into consideration the overall impression of all tests and the whole process to identify the most competent Emirati talent to qualify to the final interview stage.”
Recently, the UAE represented by the MBRSC and the Russian Space Agency (Roscosmos) signed an agreement to send the first Emirati astronaut to participate in scientific research in a Russian space mission to the ISS, aboard a Soyuz-MS spacecraft.
The UAE Astronaut Programme is funded by the ICT fund of the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA). Launched in 2007, the fund aims towards supporting research and development within the ICT sector in the UAE.
What it takes to be an astronaut at Nasa
A bachelor’s degree in engineering, biological science, physical science, computer science or mathematics.
At least three years of related professional experience obtained after degree completion OR at least 1,000 hours pilot-in-command time on jet aircraft.
The ability to pass the Nasa long-duration astronaut physical. Distant and near visual acuity must be correctable to 20/20 for each eye. The use of glasses is acceptable.
Astronaut candidates must also have skills in leadership, teamwork and communications.
Nasa’s Astronaut Selection Board reviews the applications and assesses each candidate’s qualifications.
The board then invites the most highly qualified candidates to Nasa’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, for interviews.
Of those interviewed, about half are invited back for a second round. Once the final astronauts are selected, they must complete a two-year training period.
Source: www.nasa.gov
