Latest news with #RayyanahBarnawi


Broadcast Pro
21-07-2025
- Science
- Broadcast Pro
Saudi Space Agency announces return of Arab students' experiments from ISS
The mission featured ten diverse student-led experiments, including scientific research and creative artistic endeavours submitted by students from Saudi Arabia and other Arab nations. The Saudi Space Agency has announced the successful completion and safe return to Earth of a series of microgravity experiments conducted aboard the International Space Station (ISS) by student winners from Saudi Arabia and various Arab countries. These projects were part of the Madak Space competition, marking a significant step in Arab youth participation in space exploration. The experiments returned following the conclusion of the AX-4 mission, which carried them into orbit. Organised in collaboration with the Mohammed bin Salman Foundation (Misk) and the Misk-affiliated Science Discovery and Innovation Centre (Ilmi), the initiative aimed to empower youth across the Kingdom and the Arab region. The competition encouraged young participants to explore the intersection of science, engineering, and the arts in space, fostering a deeper connection between Arab creativity and the future of space research. A total of ten diverse experiments, ranging from scientific research to creative art projects, were selected through a rigorous evaluation process led by local and international experts. The submissions were assessed for their originality, feasibility in a space environment, and potential to inspire both scientific inquiry and artistic innovation. The experiments were carried out onboard the ISS by veteran astronaut Peggy Whitson, with direct supervision from Saudi astronaut Rayyanah Barnawi and support from the Saudi Space Agencys scientific teams. As the first initiative of its kind in the Arab world, Madak Space opened doors for student involvement in the space sector across three key tracks: arts, plants, and engineering. In addition to offering hands-on learning experiences, the program helped build scientific capacity and technological skills among youth in the region. This milestone project represents a broader vision to cultivate the next generation of researchers, innovators, and space explorers in Saudi Arabia and the wider Arab world.


Leaders
16-07-2025
- Science
- Leaders
Arab Students Make History as Space Experiments Return from ISS
The Saudi Space Agency (SSA) announced on Tuesday the successful execution and safe return of scientific experiments conducted in microgravity by 10 student winners from Saudi Arabia and several Arab countries, as part of the 'Space Madak' competition. This pioneering initiative aimed to empower youth across the Arab world by enabling them to carry out space-based experiments that combine the disciplines of art, engineering, and plant science. Pioneering Initiative Launched in partnership with the Mohammed bin Salman Foundation (Misk) and the Ilmi Center for Science Discovery and Innovation, a Misk affiliate, the competition aimed to foster Arab creativity and inspire deeper engagement with the future of space exploration. The mission featured 10 diverse student-led experiments, including scientific research and creative projects, submitted by students from Saudi Arabia and other Arab nations. The experiments were carried out aboard the International Space Station (ISS) and returned to Earth following the conclusion of the AX-4 mission. The selected projects underwent rigorous scientific and artistic evaluation by experts from the Kingdom and abroad. Selection criteria included the quality of the idea, feasibility in a space environment, and potential to inspire future innovation. Conducting the Experiments Veteran astronaut Peggy Whitson conducted the experiments during her stay aboard the ISS, under the direct supervision of Saudi astronaut Rayyanah Barnawi and with technical oversight from the Saudi Space Agency's scientific teams. Barnawi, the first Saudi female astronaut, has previously conducted 14 experiments aboard the ISS as part of her mission. 'Space Madak,' the first competition of its kind in the Arab world, significantly enhanced student engagement in the space sector. Through its three tracks — arts, plants, and engineering — the competition offered educational and practical opportunities that support the development of national and regional scientific capabilities. Over 80,000 students from across the Arab world participated in the competition, showcasing a wide range of innovative ideas. Impact and Future Goals The SSA confirmed the success of the scientific experiments conducted by Arab students aboard the ISS. These experiments included projects in the fields of art, engineering, and plant science, which astronaut Peggy Whitson conducted under the supervision of Rayyanah Barnawi. The project aimed to enhance student participation in the space sector and promote innovation in the Arab world. This achievement is part of the Saudi Space Agency's efforts to enhance the Kingdom's presence in international space programs and provide a stimulating environment that contributes to supporting the knowledge economy, in line with the goals of Vision 2030. The successful return of these experiments marks a significant milestone in Arab space exploration. It underscores Saudi Arabia's commitment to scientific innovation and developing emerging talent in the growing field of space sciences. Additionally, the mission aligns with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, which seeks to prepare a new generation to contribute effectively to the future of the space sector and drive the country's scientific and technological progress. Short link : Post Views: 51


Leaders
16-07-2025
- Science
- Leaders
SSA Celebrates Milestone as ‘Madak Space' Experiments Return Safely from ISS
The Saudi Space Agency(SSA) has announced the successful completion and safe return of student-led experiments conducted aboard the International Space Station (ISS) through the groundbreaking 'Madak Space' competition. Ten winning projects, created by students from Saudi Arabia and across the Arab world, were part of this milestone effort and returned to Earth following the conclusion of the AX-4 mission. SSA, Madak Space 'Madak Space' was launched in collaboration with the Mohammed bin Salman Foundation (Misk) and the Science Discovery and Innovation Center (ilmi), a Misk affiliate. The initiative also aimed to inspire and empower youth by offering them the opportunity to conduct innovative experiments in microgravity. By integrating the fields of art, engineering, and plant sciences, the program fostered a deeper connection between Arab creativity and the future of space exploration. ISS The mission featured ten unique student-led experiments spanning scientific research and artistic expression. Students from across the Arab world submitted proposals, which were carefully evaluated by a panel of national and international experts. Additionally, projects were selected based on their scientific merit, feasibility in the space environment, and potential to inspire both scientific advancement and creative innovation. Renowned astronaut Peggy Whitson carried out the experiments on the ISS, with direct supervision from Saudi astronaut Rayyanah Barnawi. Moreover, technical oversight was provided by scientific teams from the Saudi Space Agency, ensuring the experiments were conducted safely and effectively. As the first competition of its kind in the Arab world, 'Madak Space' represents a major step forward in engaging students in the space sector. The competition welcomed submissions in three tracks—arts, plants, and engineering—and provided participants with both educational and hands-on opportunities. Through this pioneering effort, the Saudi Space Agency aims to nurture a new generation of Arab researchers, engineers, and creative innovators. Related Topics : 'Beyond Earth: Journeys to the Star': Saudi Space Agency, NASA Discuss Space Exploration Saudi Capital Market's Operating Systems Deemed Secure amid Global IT Outage Neo Space Group Wins Permit for EO Space Platform Service Short link : Post Views: 23


Saudi Gazette
15-07-2025
- Science
- Saudi Gazette
Arab student experiments return from ISS, Saudi Space Agency confirms success
Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — The Saudi Space Agency announced on Tuesday the successful execution and safe return of scientific experiments conducted in microgravity by 10 student winners from Saudi Arabia and several Arab countries, as part of the 'Madak Space' competition. The experiments were carried out aboard the International Space Station (ISS) and returned to Earth following the conclusion of the AX-4 mission. This pioneering initiative — launched in partnership with the Mohammed bin Salman Foundation (Misk) and the Ilmi Center for Science Discovery and Innovation, a Misk affiliate — aimed to empower youth across the Arab world by enabling them to carry out space-based experiments that combine the disciplines of art, engineering, and plant science. The goal was to foster Arab creativity and inspire deeper engagement with the future of space exploration. The mission featured 10 diverse student-led experiments, including scientific research and creative projects, submitted by students from Saudi Arabia and other Arab selected projects underwent rigorous scientific and artistic evaluation by experts from the Kingdom and criteria included the quality of the idea, feasibility in a space environment, and potential to inspire future astronaut Peggy Whitson conducted the experiments during her stay aboard the ISS, under the direct supervision of Saudi astronaut Rayyanah Barnawi and with technical oversight from the Saudi Space Agency's scientific teams.'Madak Space,' the first competition of its kind in the Arab world, significantly enhanced student engagement in the space its three tracks — arts, plants, and engineering — the competition offered educational and practical opportunities that support the development of national and regional scientific capabilities.


Gulf Insider
26-06-2025
- Science
- Gulf Insider
Saudi Arabia Announces Launch Of 10 Winning Student Experiments To International Space Station
The Saudi Space Agency announced the launch of 10 winning student entries in the Space Madak competition to the International Space Station (ISS). The launch was part of an international mission that was lifted off from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, United States, on Wednesday morning. The initiative embodies Saudi Arabia's commitment to promoting scientific innovation and empowering promising talent in the fields of space science with encouraging outstanding students to explore space science and innovation. The mission included sending 10 scientific experiments designed by students from Saudi Arabia and across the Arab world as part of the Space Madak competition, initiated by the Saudi Space Agency in partnership with the Mohammed bin Salman Foundation (MiSK) and the Ilmi Science Discovery and Innovation Center. The competition aims to support those students who are interested in space science and technology as well as to encourage them to transform their ideas into practical scientific applications in the microgravity environment aboard the International Space Station. The competition saw widespread participation of students from across the Arab world, with over 80,000 registered participants in the age group between 6 and 18. There were three categories for the competition: Art: 'Bezel of inspiration,' open to students with ages ranging between 6 and 11; Agriculture: 'Bezel of growth,' open to ages between 12 and 14 and Engineering: 'Bezel of innovation,' open to ages between 15 and 18. It was announced earlier that winning submissions will receive an exceptional opportunity to be sent to the International Space Station. Moreover, the competition also offers cash prizes up to SR500,000. Rayyanah Barnawi, the first female Saudi astronaut, is the supervisor of the competition. During the launch of the competition in February 2024, she said that the competition was bound to expand the horizons of ambitious young minds and fuel their creativity. This achievement comes as part of the Saudi Space Agency's efforts to enhance the Kingdom's presence in international space programs and provide a stimulating environment that contributes to supporting the knowledge economy, in line with the goals of Vision 2030 to prepare a capable generation that can effectively contribute to the future of the space sector.