Emirati astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi is preparing to return to Earth as he enters the final month of his milestone mission aboard the International Space Station.
The UAE history-maker arrived on the ISS on March 3 to carry out the Arab world's longest space mission and is due to head home towards the end of next month, with the exact date to be confirmed.
The intrepid trailblazer has written his name in the record books in a memorable journey.
In April, he took a giant leap forward for the country's space sector when he carried out a spacewalk, marking another first for an astronaut from the region.
He left the comfort of the ISS in a bulky suit to conduct intricate work while floating in microgravity more than 400km above the Earth.
Dr Al Neyadi, 42, is participating in more than 200 experiments assigned to him and his colleagues by Nasa and 19 others by UAE universities.
Some of his research has involved life sciences, including wearing a biomonitor vest and headband, to allow scientists on the ground to observe his cardiovascular system while he worked in microgravity.
The research aims to help scientists study the effects of microgravity on the human heart and potentially help create therapy for heart disease.
Opening up on life in space
He has conducted several live calls with pupils to help inspire a new generation of space enthusiasts, sought to enlighten and entertain with various social media posts offering insights into his mission and even celebrated his birthday on the ISS.
During one talk with pupils, he shared his experience of the spacewalk.
“The EVA [extravehicular activity, or spacewalk] was a really, really interesting feeling for me.
“It's the first time that was happening in the Arab world. So, I felt like it was a great responsibility.
“We spent seven hours outside of the station to do a lot of maintenance and preparation for installing new solar arrays for power capabilities.”
In May, Dr Al Neyadi was part of the welcoming party as Saudi astronauts Rayyanah Barnawi and Ali Al Qarni entered the ISS.
Ms Barnawi became the first Arab woman on board the ISS, as well as the first Saudi woman in space.
They spent eight days on board carrying out experiments on life sciences and weather technology.
The astronaut has kept Earth in focus while far away from home, capturing a number of striking images of the UAE from space, as well as snapshots of other parts of the world.
He is part of the Crew-6 team, alongside Americans Stephen Bowen and Woody Hoburg, and Russian Andrey Fedyaev.
Born in Al Ain, Dr Al Neyadi served in the Armed Forces as a network security engineer.
The father of five has a doctorate in information technology from Griffith University in Australia and a bachelor of science degree in electronics and communication engineering from the University of Brighton in England.
He is the second Emirati to journey into space, following in the footsteps of Hazza Al Mansouri, who spent eight days on the ISS in 2019.
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
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Transmission: 10-speed automatic
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Cases of coronavirus in the GCC as of March 15
Saudi Arabia – 103 infected, 0 dead, 1 recovered
UAE – 86 infected, 0 dead, 23 recovered
Bahrain – 210 infected, 0 dead, 44 recovered
Kuwait – 104 infected, 0 dead, 5 recovered
Qatar – 337 infected, 0 dead, 4 recovered
Oman – 19 infected, 0 dead, 9 recovered
Super heroes
Iron Man
Reduced risk of dementia
Alcohol consumption could be an issue
Hulk
Cardiac disease, stroke and dementia from high heart rate
Spider-Man
Agility reduces risk of falls
Increased risk of obesity and mental health issues
Black Panther
Vegetarian diet reduces obesity
Unknown risks of potion drinking
Black Widow
Childhood traumas increase risk of mental illnesses
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If you go...
Fly from Dubai or Abu Dhabi to Chiang Mai in Thailand, via Bangkok, before taking a five-hour bus ride across the Laos border to Huay Xai. The land border crossing at Huay Xai is a well-trodden route, meaning entry is swift, though travellers should be aware of visa requirements for both countries.
Flights from Dubai start at Dh4,000 return with Emirates, while Etihad flights from Abu Dhabi start at Dh2,000. Local buses can be booked in Chiang Mai from around Dh50
The specs
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What is hepatitis?
Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver, which can lead to fibrosis (scarring), cirrhosis or liver cancer.
There are 5 main hepatitis viruses, referred to as types A, B, C, D and E.
Hepatitis C is mostly transmitted through exposure to infective blood. This can occur through blood transfusions, contaminated injections during medical procedures, and through injecting drugs. Sexual transmission is also possible, but is much less common.
People infected with hepatitis C experience few or no symptoms, meaning they can live with the virus for years without being diagnosed. This delay in treatment can increase the risk of significant liver damage.
There are an estimated 170 million carriers of Hepatitis C around the world.
The virus causes approximately 399,000 fatalities each year worldwide, according to WHO.
Fight card
Bantamweight
Siyovush Gulmamadov (TJK) v Rey Nacionales (PHI)
Lightweight
Alexandru Chitoran (ROM) v Hussein Fakhir Abed (SYR)
Catch 74kg
Tohir Zhuraev (TJK) v Omar Hussein (JOR)
Strawweight (Female)
Weronika Zygmunt (POL) v Seo Ye-dam (KOR)
Featherweight
Kaan Ofli (TUR) v Walid Laidi (ALG)
Lightweight
Leandro Martins (BRA) v Abdulla Al Bousheiri (KUW)
Welterweight
Ahmad Labban (LEB) v Sofiane Benchohra (ALG)
Bantamweight
Jaures Dea (CAM) v Nawras Abzakh (JOR)
Lightweight
Mohammed Yahya (UAE) v Glen Ranillo (PHI)
Lightweight
Alan Omer (GER) v Aidan Aguilera (AUS)
Welterweight
Mounir Lazzez (TUN) Sasha Palatnikov (HKG)
Featherweight title bout
Romando Dy (PHI) v Lee Do-gyeom (KOR)
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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What is type-1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is a genetic and unavoidable condition, rather than the lifestyle-related type 2 diabetes.
It occurs mostly in people under 40 and a result of the pancreas failing to produce enough insulin to regulate blood sugars.
Too much or too little blood sugar can result in an attack where sufferers lose consciousness in serious cases.
Being overweight or obese increases the chances of developing the more common type 2 diabetes.
The specs: 2019 Mini Cooper
Price, base: Dh141,740 (three-door) / Dh165,900 (five-door)
Engine: 1.5-litre four-cylinder (Cooper) / 2.0-litre four-cylinder (Cooper S)
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Torque: 220Nm @ 1,480rpm (Cooper) / 280Nm @ 1,350rpm (Cooper S)
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 4.8L to 5.4L / 100km
