UAE astronauts learn to operate International Space Station’s robotic arm

Emirati astronauts are learning how to operate the International Space Station’s robotic arm to capture cargo vehicles in future missions.

Hazza Al Mansouri, the first UAE astronaut to fly into space, and reserve astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi are receiving the training as part of a 30-month course at the Nasa Johnson Space Centre in Houston.

Astronauts on the space station use the Canadarm2 robotic arm to capture the Cygnus spacecraft, a cargo supply vehicle, which holds food and science experiments.

“During the Cygnus cargo vehicle capture exercise, we simulate the use of the Canadian robotic arm or SSRMS in a special laboratory. The operation is very critical and requires extra attention to avoid collision with the International Space Station (ISS),” Dr Al Neyadi said.

“The cargo vehicle is loaded with food and science experiments as well as necessary items to maintain the station.”

Maj Al Mansouri became the first Arab to go to the ISS in 2019 when he spent eight days there.

The UAE’s two new astronauts, Mohammad Al Mulla and first Arab female astronaut Nora Al Matrooshi, will begin their training in Houston in January.

The instruction includes learning how to operate the systems on the ISS, performing spacewalks, training on supersonic jets and learning the Russian language.

Once graduated, all four will qualify for Nasa-led missions.

UAE astronaut trains on supersonic jets at Nasa training centre - in pictures

Emirati astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi has completed Nasa's intense T-38 Talon supersonic jet training. All photos courtesy of Mr Al Neyadi Twitter

The T-38 jets have been used by Nasa to train astronauts since the 1960s.

Mr Al Neyadi and his American colleague on the way to train on a T-38 jet.

Mr Al Neyadi on a T-38 jet, which travels faster than the speed of sound and prepares astronauts for spaceflight.

Flying the supersonic jet involves traveling at speeds of Mach 1.6 and experiencing more than seven G-forces, or seven times the gravity, because of the speed – enough to make an average person unconscious.

Mr Al Neyadi on board the T-38 Talon supersonic jet.

Mr Al Neyadi prepares for a training session on a T-38 supersonic jet.

Mr Al Neyadi and Nasa astronaut Chris Cassidy at the Johnson Space Centre in Houston, Texas.

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What is Folia?

Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal's new plant-based menu will launch at Four Seasons hotels in Dubai this November. A desire to cater to people looking for clean, healthy meals beyond green salad is what inspired Prince Khaled and American celebrity chef Matthew Kenney to create Folia. The word means "from the leaves" in Latin, and the exclusive menu offers fine plant-based cuisine across Four Seasons properties in Los Angeles, Bahrain and, soon, Dubai.

Kenney specialises in vegan cuisine and is the founder of Plant Food Wine and 20 other restaurants worldwide. "I’ve always appreciated Matthew’s work," says the Saudi royal. "He has a singular culinary talent and his approach to plant-based dining is prescient and unrivalled. I was a fan of his long before we established our professional relationship."

Folia first launched at The Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills in July 2018. It is available at the poolside Cabana Restaurant and for in-room dining across the property, as well as in its private event space. The food is vibrant and colourful, full of fresh dishes such as the hearts of palm ceviche with California fruit, vegetables and edible flowers; green hearb tacos filled with roasted squash and king oyster barbacoa; and a savoury coconut cream pie with macadamia crust.

In March 2019, the Folia menu reached Gulf shores, as it was introduced at the Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay, where it is served at the Bay View Lounge. Next, on Tuesday, November 1 – also known as World Vegan Day – it will come to the UAE, to the Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach and the Four Seasons DIFC, both properties Prince Khaled has spent "considerable time at and love".

There are also plans to take Folia to several more locations throughout the Middle East and Europe.

While health-conscious diners will be attracted to the concept, Prince Khaled is careful to stress Folia is "not meant for a specific subset of customers. It is meant for everyone who wants a culinary experience without the negative impact that eating out so often comes with."