How this UAE girl aims to make life easier for astronauts

Abu Dhabi - She was among Think Science competition winners for her project and is nominated to visit Nasa next year to present it there.

Ajman-based Grade 12 student Jawaher Al Janahi is on a mission to help astronauts like Hazzaa AlMansoori stay healthy inside their spaceships. This, she said, can be done by creating artificial gravity, the lack of which leads to chronic health issues like poor vision, back pain, loss of bone mass, body balance, headaches etc.
The student of a technology school in Ajman was among the more than 2,000 young aspirant scientists from 57 countries present at the Expo Sciences International (ESI) Abu Dhabi 2019. More than 800 projects are being presented by the participants.
"I was always interested in astronomy. My passion grew in the past few years. I am trying to make my little contributions to the UAE's space exploration journey. I found that many astronauts suffer from health issues because of loss of gravity in spacecraft. A way to avoid health problems for astronauts is to have some kind of artificial gravity," she said.
Jawaher said Nasa has incorporated artificial gravity into many of its proposals but it remains unimplemented so far. In past two years, Jawaher has done her own share of experiments and research.
She noted that artificial gravity can be achieved by having a ring-shaped spacecraft with a radius of 250 metres. This ring will need to spin twice per minute to simulate gravity.
"In the space station, the centrifugal force appears to push objects outwards but the strength of the space station provides an opposing centripetal force, which pushes inward. My project work includes added features of electromagnet and solar energy. My project will prevent health problems astronauts face in space. Artificial gravity will also help raise the life expectancy of an astronaut. I am hopeful that the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre will help me further in my project."
She was among Think Science competition winners for her project and is nominated to visit Nasa next year to present it there. But before all that she is hoping to speak to Hazzaa next month through video call at the MBRC. "I want to know what he feels about the use of artificial gravity."
She is hoping that once Hazzaa is back from his space mission, the Emirati astronaut will be able to share key insights, which will help her further in her project work.
A hotbed of innovations
The Expo Sciences International (ESI) Abu Dhabi 2019 is a hotbed of innovation and opportunities, a top official has said.
Abu Dhabi Centre for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (ACTVET) director-general Mubarak Saeed Al Shamsi said it's a dream come true moment.
"This is very exciting. Some participants are less than nine years old and some others are from as far as Mexico and Chile," Al Shamsi told Khaleej Times at Adnec.
He said the three-day exhibition held by ACTVET is a 'golden opportunity' for students and business community.
"Students have a platform to showcase their projects. They can exchange ideas and learn about other projects. They get to know about diverse cultures, religions and languages."
Al Shamsi said the exhibition is an 'open invitation' to companies and businessman to get insight into potential breakthrough projects.
Next two days at the ESI will see discussions on robotics, eco-friendly and low emission vehicles, health and renewable energy. There will be a Youth Citizen Conference on the final day.
ashwani@khaleejtimes.com
 
 

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