In a historic achievement for the UAE in the field of sleep science and space research, the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Center announced Emirati astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi as a participant in an important scientific experiment to study the sleep patterns of astronauts in a microgravity environment. While he was on the International Space Station, the experiment was conducted in collaboration with the European Space Agency, the National Center for Space Studies in France and the University Hospital Center in Toulouse.

The experiment, called “Dreams,” uses the DRY EEG system. During the experiment, the astronaut wore a head-mounted device to capture sleep cycle times, heart rate changes during sleep, and a range of other important sleep-related data. Activities.

Commenting on Al Neyadi’s participation in the experiment, Adnan Al Rais, Director of the UAE Astronauts’ Saeed Tomb-Hand Mission 2, said: “This experiment helps improve our understanding of the human body’s ability to adapt to a microgravity environment. The European Space Agency, the National Center for Space Research in France and the University Hospital Center in Toulouse are of great importance to the success of long-term space missions, including future missions to the Moon and Mars. It will ensure a better future for the people.

For his part, Sébastien Bart, assistant director of exploration and human spaceflight at France’s National Space Research Center, said: “The International Space Station is a space for international collaboration and an advanced scientific laboratory. The “Dreams” experiment was created by an astronaut during the Alpha mission. International in the field of scientific research and space exploration. It’s a great example of the importance of collaboration.”

The impact of space travel on the vital, mental and behavioral functions of astronauts is an important area of ​​study within the framework of the “Dreams” experiment, because astronauts experience unique conditions on the International Space Station, especially their exposure to 16 sunrises and sunsets per day, which greatly affects their sleep patterns.

The experiment aims to provide scientific results to help plan and improve the necessary treatments for mental health problems resulting from the conditions surrounding astronauts. With the aim of improving sleep quality and general health during long-duration space missions.

The results of this experiment will be housed aboard the International Space Station for the scientific community to continue to collect data on sleep and neuroscience in space, while the experiment embodies the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Center’s commitment to understanding the challenges. Related to human space exploration.

It is noteworthy that the UAE Astronaut Program managed by the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Center is one of the projects funded by the Information and Communication Technology Fund of the Communications and Digital Government Authority. Department of Information and Communication Technology.