COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS OF MBRSC, ESA AND DLR HIGHLIGHTED IN EML BATCH 3 STUDY CONDUCTED BY SULTAN ALNEYADI

The Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) today unveiled its collaborative efforts with the European Space Agency (ESA) and the German Aerospace Center (DLR) for the Electromagnetic Levitator (EML) Batch 3 study conducted by astronaut Sultan AlNeyadi during his 6-month mission onboard the International Space Station (ISS). 

While the results from the EML will provide valuable insights into the solidification behaviour and thermophysical properties of electrically conductive metals, the experiment exemplifies the international cooperation and demonstrates how countries can combine their strengths, expertise, and resources to gain new insights into scientific phenomena and research. The success of this collaboration is a testament to extensive planning, coordination, and mutual trust among the three entities. 

Adnan AlRais, Mission Manager, UAE Astronaut Programme, commented on the significance of the study, stating, “What made our collaboration with ESA and DLR for the EML study truly remarkable was the seamless integration of diverse work cultures, expertise, and vision towards a common goal. We are not just understanding metals in space; we are also refining processes back on Earth. With each run, we gain insights that contribute to improving the quality of metal alloy production and casting here on our home planet. The third batch of experiments, in which Sultan participated underscores the importance of such scientific endeavours."

EML is a unique scientific research facility in the Columbus laboratory on the ISS, which allows container-less melting and solidification of samples under ultra-high vacuum or an ultra-clean gaseous environment. Utilising a coil system, these samples are heated and held in an electromagnetic field, facilitating experiments under ideal microgravity conditions, predominantly during the station's night-time when the crew is asleep. This helps the stability of the samples and has a good influence on the quality of the scientific data. 

EML's experimental unit, which houses 18 metal samples, will unveil details about thermophysical properties, such as viscosity and surface tension. This comprehensive understanding, backed by precise measurements during the solidification of metals heated to 2,100 degrees Celsius, will steer innovations in many industrial applications, including improving the quality of metal alloy production and casting on Earth. Since its installation on the ISS in 2014, the EML has seen over 2,000 scientific runs, with many more anticipated in the coming years, holding the promise of breakthroughs in metal production on Earth.

“Since 2014, the ISS crew operates the Electromagnetic Levitator (EML) supervised from DLR’s Microgravity User Support Center (MUSC) in Cologne, providing materials scientists with data showing the thermal and physical properties of the specimens uninfluenced by external forces” explains Dr. Jan Gegner, DLR Operations Lead for EML. “Joint research on the ISS is among the biggest peaceful international collaborations ever. The multi-national EML community expresses their thanks to astronaut Sultan AlNeyadi for contributing to successful science operations in the field of materials research under microgravity conditions onboard the ISS.”

By establishing this collaborative venture, the UAE sets a precedent for scientific cooperation in space research, reinforcing its commitment to advancing global knowledge and fostering international partnerships. As the experiment continues to provide valuable insights, it promises to revolutionize metal production techniques on Earth, further solidifying the UAE's role in space exploration and scientific innovation.

The UAE Astronaut Programme is one of the projects managed by MBRSC under the UAE’s National Space Programme and funded by the ICT Fund of the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA), which aims to support research and development in the ICT sector in the UAE and promote the country’s integration on the global stage.

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