This is why Emirati astronaut Al Neyadi is wearing an eye patch aboard the ISS

Syed Shayaan Bakht, Staff Reporter

Emirati astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi shared two pictures of wearing a fancy eye patch to understand how microgravity affects our eyes during long duration missions at the International Space Station (ISS).

Neyadi wrote, “On the ISS, fluids in our body shift toward the head, which may exert pressure on eyes, leading to vision problems.

“Using an Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), I am capturing images of the retina to understand how microgravity affects our eyes during long duration missions.”

Last week Neyadi said that the respirator is one of the most important devices that we use during emergencies at the International Space Station to provide oxygen.

The Emirati astronaut stressed the importance of the safety of the crew in emergency situations, such as a leak of toxic gases or the occurrence of a fire, which requires securing oxygen for the astronauts, through the breathing apparatus, which is one of the most important devices used by the astronauts at the station.

It is also used during preparations before spacewalk missions.

In a video clip posted on Twitter, Al-Neyadi reviewed how to use the respirator, which is a mask attached to an oxygen cylinder, available throughout the station, describing the method of using it as quick and easy.

On the other hand, astronaut Al Neyadi worked in the Microgravity Science Glovebox for the Ring-Sheared Drop experiment.

The Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) announced that a ham radio session with astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi from the International Space Station (ISS), under ‘A Call from Space’ event was successfully held at the Mushairif School, Cycle 1-Ajyal in Ajman, in collaboration with the Emirates Amateur Radio Society (EARS) and Emirates Literature Foundation (ELF).

Ham radio, or amateur radio, uses a broad spectrum of frequencies to communicate between individuals, groups, and even remote regions and space, making it a valuable communication tool.

The ham radio session, the fourth in a series of 10, was held as the ISS passed over the region, with 25 students from various classes participating. The session is part of the ELF in Space initiative, between MBRSC and Emirates Literature Foundation, which aims to bring space closer to the community.