Two Abu Dhabi universities to send experiments to space
dubai — Two teams of university students in Abu Dhabi have won the chance to send their experiments to space, in the ‘Tests in Orbit’ competition sponsored by the UAE Space Agency (UAESA) and The Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT). One of them will look into the astronauts’ immune response in space, while the other will explore how heart stents fare when exposed to microgravity.
The Space Agency has named New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) and the Khalifa University as the winners of the contest that began in November last year.
Both teams will have the opportunity to work with space experts from NanoRacks and DreamUp; build their experiments; and have them launched to the International Space Station (ISS) in 2020.
“Competitions like ‘Tests in Orbit’ play a key role in inspiring the next generation of space pioneers. These types of activities also enhance our national capabilities by encouraging the peaceful application of space science and research, contributing to the growth and development of the UAE’s space sector,” said Dr Mohammed Nasser Al Ahbabi, director-general of the UAESA.
The NYUAD’s experiment, ‘Cytokine-Hematopoietic Stem Cell Interaction in Microgravity Environment’, aims to improve astronauts’ health in the future by uncovering the reasons behind the
Competitions like ‘Tests in Orbit’ play a key role in inspiring the next generation of space pioneers.”
Dr Mohammed Nasser Al Ahbabi, director-general, UAE Space Agency
decrease in people’s immune response when they are in space.
Khalifa University’s experiment, ‘The Effect of Micro-gravity on Coronary Nitinol Stents’, will study the mechanical performance of nickel-titanium stents within a human body when exposed to microgravity or space-related conditions. Stents are used in a wide range of surgeries and play an important role in the medical industry.
Hamda Al Shehhi, competition manager, said: “We received so many incredible ideas and proposals for the Tests in Orbit competition, which reflects the next generation’s passion for the space sector, their creativity and innovation,
and their ability to work as part of a team. We look forward to getting even more interest from UAE students in such competitions and receiving new proposals and ideas for space science and exploration.”
All finalists presented their proposals during the last workshop of the competition, which was held in March in Abu Dhabi. And choosing only two from the pool of entries had been tough for the judges, a member of the panel said.
“We were impressed by the innovative and thoughtful ideas presented by all the finalists. All the students demonstrated that they are critical thinkers capable of driving research and discovery on Earth and in space.
“We congratulate each one and are excited to support their future goals and accomplishments as they reach for the stars and beyond,” said Carie Lemack, cofounder and CEO of DreamUp and a jury member for the competition.