Dubai: The Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) has announced that astronaut Mr. Sultan AlNeyadi has successfully executed the Dreams experiment on the International Space Station (ISS).
The experiment was conducted in association with the European Space Agency (ESA), the French space agency CNES, and Toulouse University Hospital. This prestigious achievement is an asset in sleep science and space research, as per the statement.
The Dreams experiment uses the advanced DRY EEG system to study the sleep patterns of astronauts aboard the ISS in a microgravity environment. Mr. AlNeyadi wore a specially designed sleep headband that incorporated an electroencephalogram (EEG) sensor during the experiment. This unique device records various sleep-related data, including the duration of sleep cycles and variations in heart rate.
This project, in partnership with ESA, CNES, and Toulouse University Hospital, symbolises a crucial step forward in our understanding of the human body’s adaptability in space. The knowledge we gain here is instrumental to the success of future long-duration space missions, including trips to the Moon and Mars. We are incredibly proud of the contributions made by the UAE towards the international space community.
Mr. Adnan AlRais, Mission Manager, UAE Astronaut Programme, remarked.
The Dreams experiment’s crucial area of investigation is the impact of space travel on the astronauts’ circadian rhythms. The astronauts aboard witness 16 sunrises and sunsets each day. This unique condition disrupts the natural day-night cycle, which affects sleep patterns. This study aims to improve sleep quality and overall health during extended space missions by helping plan and develop cognitive therapies for astronauts.
The scientific community will analyse the results of this experiment, which will contribute to the existing collection of hypnic and neuroscience data on the International Space Station (ISS). This experiment showcases MBRSC’s dedication to furthering the comprehension of the challenges and intricacies associated with human space exploration.