Watch: Falak mission takes Saudi Arabia into polar orbit

Dubai: Saudi Arabia has successfully launched its first research mission into polar orbit today, in collaboration with SpaceX, to study the effects of space on natural eye microbes.

 The mission, named "Falak," is part of the FRAM2 mission and will investigate how microgravity influences the microbiome of the eye, with potential applications for both space exploration and Earth-based health.

 The mission aims to improve understanding of eye health in astronauts by analyzing the growth patterns of eye microbes and examining genetic and protein changes that occur under the influence of microgravity. One of the key areas of focus is how these microbes form biofilms, which can increase the risk of eye infections in space.

Dr. Ayoub Al Sobihi, director of the Falak mission, emphasized that the research will help create a comprehensive health protocol for eye care in space, potentially setting a global standard for space agencies. "The resilience of eye microbes to the space environment is a question we still don’t have answers to. This mission lays the groundwork for future research on this crucial issue," he said.

This study is part of global efforts to understand how space travel impacts human health, particularly in the field of ocular health.