29 Aug 2023

Sultan Al Neyadi to return to Earth on September 3

During his time aboard the International Space Station, Al Neyadi conducted more than 200 scientific experiments, with his latest endeavour focusing on a host-pathogen study.

The Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) has announced that astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi is scheduled to return from the International Space Station (ISS) on September 3, following his completion of the historic longest Arab space mission in history, spanning six months.

Al Neyadi along with NASA astronauts Stephen Bowen and Warren Hoburg, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev, will depart the International Space Station (ISS) aboard the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft Endeavour on September 2. Donning their pressure suits, the team is set for a splashdown off the coast of Tampa, Florida in the Gulf of Mexico on September 3.

Prior to initiating the deorbit sequence, stringent checks will be performed, especially pertaining to forecasted weather conditions and recovery readiness at the designated splashdown location.

The Dragon spacecraft will autonomously undock from the ISS on September 2 and perform a series of departure burns to move away from the orbiting laboratory.

If required, a series of orbit-lowering manoeuvres will be done on the spacecraft that line up its ground track with the desired landing location.

The spacecraft’s two drogue parachutes will deploy at 18,000 feet followed by four main parachutes that deploy at 6,500 ft.

Under four main parachutes, the spacecraft will safely touch down at a velocity of 25 ft per second and autonomously release its parachutes off the coast of Tampa, Florida in the Gulf of Mexico on September 3.

The longest Arab space mission in history was launched on March 2 at 9:34 am (UAE time), aboard the SpaceX Dragon Endeavour spacecraft.

Over the course of the mission, Al Neyadi was involved in over 200 experiments, partnering with international space agencies and esteemed UAE and global universities. His contributions span diverse fields, including plant genetics, human life sciences, exploration technology, fluid dynamics, material science, protein crystallisation growth, and advanced exploration technologies. These experiments have been instrumental in helping the scientific community, researchers, and students in the UAE and around the world become an integral part of the mission, supporting it in various capacities. Al Neyadi also accomplished a number of firsts for a UAE astronaut during this mission, including becoming the first Arab to complete a spacewalk, alongside his fellow crewmate NASA astronaut Bowen.

Al Neyadi further engaged in 19 educational and community outreach events called the “A Call from Space” series, in which over 10,000 people from all walks of life took part and interacted with the Emirati astronaut through live video calls and ham radio sessions.

As the mission approaches its conclusion, the Crew-6 team is currently involved in the handover activity with Crew-7 astronauts, who successfully docked and entered the ISS on August 27 at 6:58 PM (UAE time).

29 Aug 2023

Etisalat by e& completes 5G-advanced network speed trials

The trial focused on unlocking the full potential of the 6GHz frequency range and utilising the 400 MHz bandwidth to achieve the 10Gbps speed while enhancing the user experience.

Etisalat by e& has announced a breakthrough in its pursuit of cutting-edge technologies to elevate customer experiences with the successful completion of the “5G-Advanced” trial project under the leadership of Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA).

Etisalat by e& has achieved 10Gbps throughput on the 6GHz band, a significant milestone that positions the UAE at the forefront of 5G-Advanced network capabilities. The achievement marks a remarkable advancement in data transfer speeds, solidifying the company’s commitment to revolutionising the telecommunications landscape. The trial focused on unlocking the full potential of the 6GHz frequency range and utilising the 400 MHz bandwidth to achieve the 10Gbps speed while enhancing the user experience.

The collaboration between etisalat by e& and TDRA resulted in the achievement of 10Gbps on the 6GHz band, which stands as the highest ever achieved on this frequency worldwide. The accomplishment has profound implications for ushering in the digital transformation era, not only within the UAE but also across the globe.

Commenting on the development, Khalid Murshed, Chief Technology and Information Officer (CTIO), Etisalat UAE, said: “Etisalat by e& is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of technological innovation to provide transformative solutions to our customers. Our recent achievement of 5G-advanced speeds reaffirms our commitment to delivering high-quality and fast connectivity. The collaboration with TDRA emphasises our joint commitment to enhance the UAE’s technological leadership and global recognition.

“This advancement paves the way for a seamless and integrated digital world, enabling the growth of IoT applications and metaverse technologies. The increased speeds support complex applications such as remote healthcare diagnostics, autonomous vehicle projects, and advanced industrial installations, contributing to a more innovative, interconnected society.”

The implementation of the “5G-Advanced” trial initiative reflects etisalat by e&’s commitment to fortifying these efforts in line with the UAE government’s “Year of Sustainability” initiatives in 2023. It also aligns with the company’s mission to enhance sector efficiency and solidify the UAE’s leadership in technological innovation, thus establishing the nation as a hub for innovation, connectivity, and digital progress.

27 Aug 2023

NASA’s SpaceX Crew-7 launches to International Space Station

Crew-7 is the first commercial crew flight to carry people from four different agencies.

NASA and SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft has blasted off carrying four astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS) from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The agency’s SpaceX Crew-7 mission is the seventh commercial crew rotation mission for NASA.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched the Dragon spacecraft into orbit carrying NASA astronaut Jasmin Moghbeli, ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Andreas Mogensen, JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut Satoshi Furukawa, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Konstantin Borisov, for a science expedition aboard the orbital laboratory.

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said: “Crew-7 is a shining example of the power of both American ingenuity and what we can accomplish when we work together. Aboard station, the crew will conduct more than 200 science experiments and technology demonstrations to prepare for missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond, all while benefitting humanity on Earth. By partnering with countries around the world, NASA is engaging the best scientific minds to enable our bold missions, and it’s clear that we can do more – and we can learn more – when we work together.”

During Dragon’s flight, SpaceX will monitor a series of automatic spacecraft maneuvers from its mission control center in Hawthorne, California, and NASA teams will monitor space station operations throughout the flight from the Mission Control Center at the agency’s Johnson Space Center in Houston.

Crew-7 will join the space station’s Expedition 69 crew of NASA astronauts Stephen Bowen, Woody Hoburg, and Frank Rubio, as well as UAE astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi, and Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergey Prokopyev, Dmitri Petelin, and Andrey Fedyaev. For a short time, the number of crew aboard the space station will increase to 11 until Crew-6 members Bowen, Hoburg, Al Neyadi, and Fedyaev return to Earth a few days later.

Crew-7 will conduct new scientific research to benefit humanity on Earth and prepare for human exploration beyond low Earth orbit. Experiments include the collection of microbial samples from the exterior of the space station, the first study of human response to different spaceflight durations, and an investigation of the physiological aspects of astronauts’ sleep. These are just some of the science experiments and technology demonstrations that will take place during their mission.

Ken Bowersox, Associate Administrator, Space Operations Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington, added: “The International Space Station is an incredible science and technology platform that requires people from all around the world to maintain and maximise its benefits to people on Earth. It’s great seeing Crew-7 launch with four crew members representing four countries who will live and work on humanity’s home in space as we continue the nearly 23 years of a continuous human presence aboard the microgravity laboratory.”

The Crew-7 mission enables NASA to maximise use of the space station, where astronauts testing technologies, performing science, and developing the skills needed to operate future commercial destinations in low Earth orbit and explore farther from Earth. Research conducted aboard the space station provides benefits for people on Earth and paves the way for future long-duration trips to the Moon through NASA’s Artemis missions.

15 Aug 2023

StarzPlay launches fantasy sports game in MENA

Exclusively available on StarzPlay Sports, players can make predictions around live Serie A matches and other regional leagues, from forecasting scores and possession percentages to identifying the first goal scorer via in-game arenas, in order to win prizes.

SVOD platform StarzPlay has introduced StarzPlay Fantasy Sports, the first free-to-play Web 3.0 fantasy sports game in the MENA region.

Launched in advance of the 2023/24 Series A season, StarzPlay Fantasy Sports is exclusively accessible via StarzPlay Sports. Players can engage in live Serie A matches and regional leagues by making predictions, ranging from score forecasts and possession percentages to identifying the first goal scorer, all within the in-game arenas. These predictions offer a chance to win prizes.

Players are encouraged to leverage their strategic prowess and football knowledge to secure prizes, compete against friends, and ascend the ranks of weekly, monthly, and all-time leaderboards.

Winning participants of StarzPlay Fantasy Sports are awarded real prizes, including STARZ$, the in-game currency usable for acquiring NFTs and, in the future, redeeming for vouchers, StarzPlay subscriptions, Serie A and football merchandise, along with exclusive “money can’t buy experiences,” such as Serie A match tickets and meet-and-greet sessions with cherished football icons. The prize pool will also encompass offerings from third-party sponsors, establishing a fresh commercial avenue and a means for advertisers to connect with online gaming and sports enthusiasts on a Web 3.0 platform.

While the game is essentially free to play, players possess the option to purchase and trade NFTs within a real-time marketplace. This empowers them to construct a distinct team and enhance their predictive abilities.

Alessandro Masaro, Chief Strategy Officer at StarzPlay said “StarzPlay’s success in MENA has been underpinned by a never-ending pursuit of innovation. StarzPlay Fantasy Sports is the first-of-its-kind blockchain service in the region which will give customers a new dimension to engage with sports while competing to win incredible prizes. Our goal is to make StarzPlay a hub for sports entertainment and provide users and rights’ holders with more opportunities to interact and build stronger and more valuable relationships. We believe this is the first step of a larger plan which will see StarzPlay Fantasy Sports expand into other leagues and sports in the near future.”

The launch of StarzPlay Fantasy Sports marks a momentous leap forward in the domain of fantasy sports, leveraging cutting-edge Web 3.0 and blockchain technology. The game will be hosted in Amazon AWS as a serverless infrastructure in order to support the peak of users and provide a high-performance and high-quality experience during matches.

15 Aug 2023

UAE astronauts conduct spacewalk training at Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory

The NBL's primary function is to prepare astronauts for space missions involving Extravehicular Activities or spacewalks.

Emirati astronauts Nora AlMatrooshi and Nora AlMatrooshi are on track with their extensive training regimen, with both conducting spacewalk training at NASA’s Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory (NBL) at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, as part of NASA’s 2021 astronaut candidate class training programme.

Following the recent series of demanding exercises including survival training at Alabama’s Fort Novosel and a detailed orientation at the Marshall Space Flight Center in the USA, AlMatrooshi and AlMulla’s training in the NBL, the world’s largest indoor pool used for simulated spacewalk training is a crucial phase on the way to completing her astronaut training.

The NBL’s primary function is to prepare astronauts for space missions involving Extravehicular Activities (EVAs) or spacewalks. AlMatrooshi and AlMulla are currently undergoing training in the depths of the massive facility, which spans 202 ft in length, 102 ft in width, and 40 ft in depth, to master intricate procedures necessary for space exploration.

Neutral buoyancy is a core part of this training, simulating the weightlessness experienced in space. The facility allows astronauts to become neutrally buoyant, allowing for the manipulation of large objects, similar to the conditions of microgravity in space. The NBL currently provides the most accurate training medium for spacewalks on Earth.

Spacewalks are a cornerstone of both current and future space exploration missions, making the Emirati astronauts training at the NBL vital to their future role in space missions. The International Space Station, for example, requires hundreds of hours of spacewalks for assembly and maintenance.

Earlier this year, Emirati astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi, who is currently on the ISS nearing the end of the longest Arab space mission, became the first Arab astronaut to perform a spacewalk. Prior to his mission, Al Neyadi had trained for more than 55 hours at the NBL in preparation for spacewalks. During his time there, Al Neyadi underwent nine runs of six hours each, training underwater simulating spacewalks utilising the full mock-up of the ISS.

AlMatrooshi and AlMulla, who are part of the second batch of the UAE Astronaut Programme, were selected alongside 10 other NASA candidates from a pool of more than 12,000 applicants for the 2021 class of astronaut candidates. Both Emirati astronauts continue to display remarkable resilience and determination, reflecting the UAE’s ambitious vision for space exploration. They are set to graduate in early 2024, joining a select group of flight-eligible astronauts ready for space mission.

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.

15 Aug 2023

Netflix and AFAC launch training programme for emerging female filmmakers

The initiative will select 45 women hailing from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Jordan, and Egypt to participate.

Netflix, in partnership with the Arab Fund for Arts and Culture (AFAC), has launched a training programme aimed at nurturing emerging female talent in the field of filmmaking. This programme, titled ‘Women in Film: Introduction to the Creative Process,’ seeks to acquaint participants with the intricacies of creative filmmaking and the diverse roles that women can play behind the camera.

Geared towards female filmmakers who are recent graduates in the field and who are based in Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and the UAE, this initiative will engage a select group of 45 women. These participants will undergo a series of workshops designed to provide insights into the contemporary filmmaking industry. The programme will delve into various aspects of the craft, including scriptwriting and the creative journey of filmmaking. Esteemed female filmmakers from the Arab region will guide these aspiring talents, aiming to cultivate a robust pipeline of skilled professionals and encourage storytelling as a viable career path for the upcoming generation of Arab women.

Commencing in November, the programme will kick off with three days of workshops held in Cairo, Dubai, and Jeddah. As an added benefit, all participants will also be offered an opportunity to visit Netflix’s production hub in Europe in the coming year.

Speaking about the programme, Nuha el Tayeb, Director, Content Director of Middle East, Africa and Turkey at Netflix, said: “At Netflix, we are passionate about amplifying women’s voices behind the camera. That includes a commitment to authentic storytelling which is intrinsically linked to developing the region’s talent pipeline. AFAC has been a long-standing partner and has done some incredible work for underrepresented voices. Through this partnership, we are discovering a wealth of promising Arab talent and working to ensure that women are represented both on and off camera.”

The Arab Fund for Arts and Culture (AFAC), founded in 2007 by Arab cultural activists, operates as an independent foundation that supports artists, writers, researchers, and organisations across the Arab region.

Rima Mismar, Executive Director at AFAC, added: “Throughout our 16 years in operation, we have been committed to supporting bold creative voices of women and men artists, who are trying to push boundaries and challenge status-quos. In film specifically, 44% of supported films to date are by women filmmakers. Through this renewed partnership with Netflix, we build on that commitment, extending our technical support to emerging women talents and allowing for a deeper understanding of the inequities and inequalities that women are subjected to in the film industry.”

This initiative targets women between the ages of 21 and 27 residing in the UAE, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Kuwait. Applications for the programme will be accessible on the AFAC website starting from August 17, with the submission deadline set for September 8. An external panel of judges will evaluate the applications, and selected candidates will be informed by October 17.

The initiative is open to women candidates between the ages of 21-27 residing in five Arab countries – UAE, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Kuwait.

The ‘Women in Film: Introduction to the Creative Process’ programme is a part of Netflix’s Fund for Creative Equity, which is established to foster new opportunities for underrepresented communities within the realm of entertainment. In the previous year, Netflix partnered with AFAC to extend a one-time grant of $250,000 aimed at supporting women producers and directors within the Arab world.

08 Aug 2023

ViaLite’s Mil-Aero Link Meets Demanding Satcom Requirements in Japan

The Mil-Aero 6 GHz Link Pair supplied to a new ViaLite customer in Japan meets the telecommunications manufacturer’s requirement for market leading C-band RF over fiber operation, as well as covering other popular Satcom bands from 10 MHz through to 6 GHz. The Tokyo-based company was particularly impressed with its stability over C-band frequencies.

The link’s features are specifically tailored for demanding Air Force, Navy and Army applications, such as Telemetry Tracking and Control Systems (TT&C), Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) deployments, Tethered Aerostat, UAV and Drone applications, and Multi-Service Electronic Warfare (EW) systems.

“Feedback from our users worldwide consistently shows our Mil-Aero Link Pair to be setting a new design standard of higher electrical performance and mechanical integrity, along with superior quality and reliability,” said John Meyers, ViaLite Sales Manager – Asia Pacific.

The link offers the best Spurious Free Dynamic Range (SFDR) performance in its class, making it ideal for high bandwidth applications or where the application has a wide range of RF signal powers. It can operate over distances as long as 50 km, and is further enhanced by a low noise figure (NF), optional gain and 1 dB compression points (CP).

Design options are available in standard gain, high gain/low noise figure and high output power configurations that are easily adjusted in-field for signal optimization. The link can be deployed in a rack card form factor (1U and 3U chassis), as well as in small stand-alone modules for indoor and outdoor applications.

For more information on ViaLite RF over fiber systems, please visit www.vialite.com.

14 Jun 2023

Quality Time for Duke Energy with ViaLite GPS Links

Energy companies need to guarantee the reliability of their mission critical IT systems and networks, and these need highly accurate timing and synchronization signals for them to function. For this reason, Duke Energy is now using fiber optic links from ViaLite to distribute their GPS-derived timing signals.

The state-of-the-art RF over fiber (RFoF) links have the big advantage that the signals can be sent over extremely long distances to inaccessible locations without suffering from the attenuation present with coaxial cables.

The GNSS/GPS links support a range of international standards for GPS and timing signals and are designed to be extremely low noise, as GPS signals are often very low intensity when they arrive at the rooftop antenna.

The equipment now in use includes three 1U rack chassis units, each with the capacity to house three card slots, allowing up to six channels per rack. The supplied GPS Link Tx and Rx chassis cards can operate across distances from 1 m to as far as 50 km.

“ViaLite’s ability to consistently provide electro-optical devices with state-of-the-art performance, superior quality and high reliability is second to none,” said Craig Somach, ViaLite Director of Sales.

According to Duke Energy: “ViaLite’s equipment worked perfectly as designed, and was very easy to deploy thanks to its plug and play installation.”

Duke Energy is a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C. and is one of America’s largest energy companies, serving 8.2 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky. It employs 28,000 people and collectively owns 50,000 megawatts of energy capacity.

For more information visit www.vialite.com.