Saleh Al Ameri lived inside a remote Russian plant, in near-isolation, as part of an eight-month spaceflight research project. Locked away on November 4, he conducted several experiments. All photos: Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre
Saleh Al Ameri lived inside a remote Russian plant, in near-isolation, as part of an eight-month spaceflight research project. Locked away on November 4, he conducted several experiments. All photos: Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre
Mr Al Ameri is part of the Sirius 20/21 project that measures the psychological and physiological effect on humans living in the extreme environments that astronauts face during space travel.
Mr Al Ameri is part of the Sirius 20/21 project that measures the psychological and physiological effect on humans living in the extreme environments that astronauts face during space travel.
The international crew of six entered the NEK experimental complex in Moscow on November 4, where scientists are observing their behaviour using cameras installed throughout the centre.
The international crew of six entered the NEK experimental complex in Moscow on November 4, where scientists are observing their behaviour using cameras installed throughout the centre.
Mr Al Ameri inside the centre in Moscow.
Mr Al Ameri inside the centre in Moscow.
Mr Al Ameri's room in the complex. Each participant has a similar small space for privacy, while a small living room allows them to socialise and watch television. Each bedroom has a bed, desk and cupboard.
Mr Al Ameri's room in the complex. Each participant has a similar small space for privacy, while a small living room allows them to socialise and watch television. Each bedroom has a bed, desk and cupboard.
Aballa Al Hammadi, the back-up Emirati for the project, checks in on his colleague Mr Al Ameri, who is inside the complex.
Aballa Al Hammadi, the back-up Emirati for the project, checks in on his colleague Mr Al Ameri, who is inside the complex.
Mr Al Ameri, 31, is the first Arab to be part of an analogue mission – field tests that simulate lengthy space journeys. These are crucial to understanding how space flight affects the body and mind, as governments and private companies work towards landing people on the Moon and Mars.
Mr Al Ameri, 31, is the first Arab to be part of an analogue mission – field tests that simulate lengthy space journeys. These are crucial to understanding how space flight affects the body and mind, as governments and private companies work towards landing people on the Moon and Mars.
He celebrated the UAE's Golden Jubilee on December 2 inside the centre.
He celebrated the UAE's Golden Jubilee on December 2 inside the centre.
His colleagues celebrated the UAE's Golden Jubilee with him.
His colleagues celebrated the UAE's Golden Jubilee with him.
Crew members simulated a space journey to the Moon as part one of the experiments. They docked their 'spacecraft' with an interplanetary station and then transferred to a transport ship that will take them to the Moon.
Crew members simulated a space journey to the Moon as part one of the experiments. They docked their 'spacecraft' with an interplanetary station and then transferred to a transport ship that will take them to the Moon.

UAE

Here is how to watch Saleh Al Ameri leave his Russian isolation pod on Sunday

Saleh Al Ameri has been carrying out space travel research in the habitat for eight months

Sarwat Nasir
Sarwat Nasir

July 02, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

The Russian space agency will live stream the moment six human test subjects exit an isolation pod in Moscow that they have been living in for eight months as part of a space travel experiment.

One of the crew members includes Emirati mechanical engineer Saleh Al Ameri, 31, who left his life in Abu Dhabi behind to live almost completely cut off from the world to train for the UAE’s first analogue mission.

The tests being conducted in the pod study the psychological and physiological effects of isolation by simulating journeys into deep space.

On July 3, at 2pm UAE time, the hatch of the NEK experimental complex will be opened to let Mr Saleh and his colleagues — three Russians and two Americans — out into the world for the first time since November 4.

The event will be streamed on Roscosmos' YouTube channel.

They will be welcomed by their respective space agencies, including officials from the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre.

After being closed off inside a small space for months, they will finally get to go home.

Each participant had their own room and access to a “living room”, where they could socialise.

But most of their time was spent carrying out experiments, such as using virtual headsets to perform spacewalks, dock with a Moon-orbiting station and drive a rover on the lunar surface.

‘Staying awake for 48 hours’

Mr Al Ameri said one of the most challenging experiments for him was when he and the other participants had to stay awake for two full days.

“Personally, one of the difficult experiences I conducted was for sleep deprivation for 48 hours,” he said earlier this week in a video released by the space centre.

“The challenge lies in the preparations, which include abstaining from caffeine and stimulants for three days prior to the experiment.

Saleh Al Ameri and five other international crew members will exit the Russian isolation pod on July 3, where they carried out space travel experiments for eight months. Photo: Dubai Media Office
Saleh Al Ameri and five other international crew members will exit the Russian isolation pod on July 3, where they carried out space travel experiments for eight months. Photo: Dubai Media Office

“I recall that we were all affected by sleep deprivation.”

Mr Al Ameri said he was looking forward to enjoying the outdoors again and doing adrenalin-fuelled activities such as skydiving.

Impact on mind and body from isolation

Nasa has previously explained how isolation can affect the mind and body, including the impact on astronauts who spend long periods of time in space.

The US space agency carries out similar analogue missions as part of their Human Research Programme, which the UAE will participate in next year.

Nasa said some side effects after coming out of prolonged isolation include difficulty adjusting to daily routines and normal social interactions, and choices may seem complicated.

Yajaira Sierra-Sastre, who was in near-isolation for four months during a Nasa analogue mission, said it was difficult stepping back out into the world.

“I was overwhelmed by automobiles,” she said.

“The fast pace, the noise, but I also experienced a wonderful bliss when I saw the bright blue colours of the sea.”

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Something of a fashion anomaly, normcore is essentially a celebration of the unremarkable. The term was first popularised by an article in New York magazine in 2014 and has been dubbed “ugly”, “bland’ and "anti-style" by fashion writers. It’s hallmarks are comfort, a lack of pretentiousness and neutrality – it is a trend for those who would rather not stand out from the crowd. For the most part, the style is unisex, favouring loose silhouettes, thrift-shop threads, baseball caps and boyish trainers. It is important to note that normcore is not synonymous with cheapness or low quality; there are high-fashion brands, including Parisian label Vetements, that specialise in this style. Embraced by fashion-forward street-style stars around the globe, it’s uptake in the UAE has been relatively slow.

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If you go

Flight connections to Ulaanbaatar are available through a variety of hubs, including Seoul and Beijing, with airlines including Mongolian Airlines and Korean Air. While some nationalities, such as Americans, don’t need a tourist visa for Mongolia, others, including UAE citizens, can obtain a visa on arrival, while others including UK citizens, need to obtain a visa in advance. Contact the Mongolian Embassy in the UAE for more information.

Nomadic Road offers expedition-style trips to Mongolia in January and August, and other destinations during most other months. Its nine-day August 2020 Mongolia trip will cost from $5,250 per person based on two sharing, including airport transfers, two nights’ hotel accommodation in Ulaanbaatar, vehicle rental, fuel, third party vehicle liability insurance, the services of a guide and support team, accommodation, food and entrance fees; nomadicroad.com

A fully guided three-day, two-night itinerary at Three Camel Lodge costs from $2,420 per person based on two sharing, including airport transfers, accommodation, meals and excursions including the Yol Valley and Flaming Cliffs. A return internal flight from Ulaanbaatar to Dalanzadgad costs $300 per person and the flight takes 90 minutes each way; threecamellodge.com

Explained
Our family matters legal consultant

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Hotel Silence
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Updated: July 02, 2022, 6:44 AM`
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