Two Emirati astronauts have undergone highly specialised physical endurance tests in Russia to simulate exposure to high speeds.

Known as centrifuge tests, Hazza Al Mansoori and back-up astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi were strapped into harnesses, swung around a huge metal arm and confronted with forces about eight times the force of gravity. Centrifuges such as these can accelerate up to 9Gs – about 96 kilometres per hour – in only a second and rotate dozens of times a minute.
This simulation is designed to prevent them blacking out when this immense motion moves blood away from the brain. The tests increase their endurance, special suits prevent blood pooling in the legs and astronauts must also learn specific breathing techniques to deal with the stress.

The centrifuge sessions represent some of the final steps in both astronauts’ medical examinations.

Maj Al Mansoori – who will become the first Emirati in space – will blast off for an eight-day space mission to the International Space Station aboard a Soyuz-MS 15 spacecraft from Kazakhstan on September 25.

He will serve as flight engineer alongside Nasa astronaut Jessica Meir, under Roscosmos commander Oleg Skripochka, a veteran cosmonaut.

This month, it was revealed that Maj Al Mansoori, 34, will host a traditional Emirati food night on board the ISS serving up a slice of Emirati culinary delights such as balaleet – a type of vermicelli – and omelette.

Maj Al Mansoori will return to Earth in early October. The former air force pilot has spent much of this year in Russia’s Star City undergoing space training and ground survival techniques. He has also had to master the Russian language.