المملكة: The Falak Association launches the first space mission to study the microbium of the eye at the end of the month

The Falak Society for Space Sciences and Research has announced the launch of the first Saudi research mission to study microbium in the eye in space, to be sent to space late this month within the Fram2 mission in the polar orbit in cooperation with Spacex.
This experience comes within the framework of the association’s efforts to enhance scientific research in space medicine, and aims to study the impact of minor gravity on the natural microbium of the eye, which may contribute to improving the understanding of eye health among astronauts, in addition to exploring possible medical applications on Earth.

Complete the equipment and pave the launch

The stages of preparation, complementarity and transportation have been successfully completed without any errors, which paves the way for the launch stage according to the highest scientific and technical standards. The research team has succeeded in collecting vital samples and performing accurate microbial transplants in specialized laboratories, and the integration stage has been completed, which included extensive environmental and mechanical tests to ensure the ability of samples to withstand launch conditions and return safely from space.
The director of the research mission, CEO of “Akk”, Dr. Ayoub bin Salem Al -Subaihi, said: “We are proud to be the first Saudi association specialized in space science and its applications, as we were able, during a short period of time, to make a tangible impact in this sector through our training and research programs that a number of students and researchers benefited from.”
He added: “This has contributed to the rehabilitation of national competencies and prompted us towards active participation in space research, to launch our first research tasks into space, and the success of completing the preparation of samples and completing the integration stage is an achievement that reflects the strategic transformation that the non -profit sector has witnessed, this sector has become a major partner in achieving development through the integration of its roles with the governmental and private sectors, which raised its efficiency in supporting the targets of vision. Kingdom 2030, and will contribute to qualitative progress in education and research in space and associated technologies.

Study microbium eye in space

The study of in -kind microbium in space is an emerging research field, and the importance of this experience lies in analyzing the rates of in -kind microbium growth in space compared to the Earth’s environment, and studying genetic and protein changes that may occur as a result of exposure to minor gravity, and the experiment aims to assess the ability of microbes to form vital membranes, which may increase the risk of infection in space, as well as analysis Changes in resisting microbes to antibiotics after exposure to small gravity, bearing in mind that this process may take longer periods of its development.
For her part, the research scholar praised the mission of “Falak”, Dr. Widad Bint Saeed Al -Qahtani, the success of the stage of integration and the final preparation for the launch, saying: “We have worked carefully to prepare samples and transfer them to the final stage of integration, where she underwent accurate tests to ensure that its vital characteristics remain without influence during the space flight.”
She added: “Studying the effect of the space environment on the natural microbes of the eye can provide valuable data on how it responds to the conditions of minor gravity, which may help in developing new strategies and protocols to maintain eye health.”
Participation in the mission, Professor Salwa Al -Hazaa, for her part, stressed the importance of studying in the field of ophthalmology, saying: “What we do today is not limited to sending a scientific experience to space, but rather a fundamental step towards building a deeper understanding of the effect of the space environment on eye health, and we hope that the results will contribute to developing future medical solutions that enhance the care of eye health, whether in space or on Earth, carrying this satellite task with Saudi Arabia with pride, Actress is an important step in the Kingdom’s commitment to scientific innovation and enhancing its growing role in the global space sector.
This study falls within the global efforts to study the effect of space on human health, as it was preceded by similar research that dealt with the impact of minor gravity on the intestinal and oral microbium, and that the eye microbium is still a field under study, which makes this task adding a qualitative to fill an important research gap and contribute to enhancing the scientific understanding of the effect of space on eye health.