Sultan Al Neyadi’s ham radio sessions enrich UAE students’ journey into space exploration

Dubai: The Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre successfully hosted the seventh and final ham radio session under the “A Call from Space” series at the Emirates Amateur Radio Society in Sharjah, igniting the curiosity and adventure spirit of the younger generation in the UAE.

A 10-minute live conversation with astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi on board the International Space Station (ISS) marked the culmination of the program, which was organized in collaboration with the Emirates Amateur Radio Society (EARS).

The ham radio series has drawn in more than 500 kids from all age groups, grades, and schools around the UAE, as well as space aficionados, during its prior sessions, drawing more than 30 attendees at the closing session.

The MBRSC, Mushairif School, Cycle 1-Ajyal in Ajman, GEMS Wellington International School in Dubai, Mohammed Bin Rashid Library, and Emirates Amateur Radio Society in Sharjah were just a few of the places where the outreach program was held.

Ham radio, also referred to as amateur radio, is a kind of communication that makes it easier for people to communicate in rural areas and in remote communities. It uses a wide variety of frequencies, enabling enthusiasts to connect regionally, internationally, and even extraterrestrally.

Since its beginnings in the early 1900s, ham radio has developed into more than merely an enjoyable pastime. When traditional networks are down, it has shown to be essential for providing emergency communication channels during disasters.

Salem Humaid Al Marri, Director General, MBRSC, said, “We are proud to conclude the ham radio sessions under ‘A Call from Space’ series on such a high note. The sessions have truly been an extraordinary journey, leaving an indelible imprint on young minds and inspiring them to explore the boundless universe.

“I would like to thank our partners, the Emirates Amateur Radio Society and Emirates Literature Foundation, for their integral role in the successful of this series. As we draw closer to the end of Sultan’s mission, we look forward to witnessing how these interactive experiences might propel our students into future space missions, enhancing the UAE’s stature in space exploration.”

The series gave its viewers a broad overview of MBRSC’s ongoing programs as well as a thorough examination of space stations and their background. The enriching curriculum also included practical instruction in using ham radios.

The students had the chance to ask the Emirati astronaut their most pressing space-related issues during the event’s fascinating live exchanges with Al Neyadi, a first-hand dialogue that increased their comprehension of the space exploration process. The series’ end represents a significant milestone, a celebration of the UAE’s space missions, and an inspiration for the nation’s future scientists and explorers.

The UAE Astronaut Program is one of the initiatives managed by MBRSC under the National Space Programme of the UAE and supported by the ICT Fund of the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA), which aims to encourage the integration of the UAE on the international stage and support research and development in the ICT sector in the UAE.