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UAE Astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi Prepares To Return To Earth
The six-month mission aboard the International Space Station will end with a splashdown off the Florida coast on September 3rd.

UAE astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi will end his six-month mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS) on September 3rd, entering the record books for conducting the longest-ever Arab space expedition.
According to NASA, Crew-6 (which includes Al Neyadi), will board a SpaceX Dragon craft before detaching from the ISS on September 2nd. After reentering Earth’s atmosphere, the spacecraft will splashdown off the Florida coast on September 3rd.
In a few days, @Astro_Alneyadi is set to return to Earth after the completion of the longest Arab space mission in history, during which he conducted over 200 scientific experiments.@MBRSpaceCentre pic.twitter.com/yltIwKtSAq
— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) August 29, 2023
During his time aboard the International Space Station, Al Neyadi has conducted over 200 scientific experiments, with the latest round of tests forming part of a host-pathogen study. The experiments aim to better understand how the immune systems of astronauts interact with microbial pathogens living within the ISS environment.
The study also explored how dormant pathogens, such as those responsible for chickenpox and shingles, affect immunity once activated.
Adnan Al Rais, the UAE Astronaut Program’s Mission Manager, was keen to emphasize the significance of Al Neyadi’s research in advancing space biology, noting that it could enhance our ability to safeguard future ISS crews and contribute to their healthcare.
Also Read: Abu Dhabi-Developed AI Arabic Language Model Unveiled
Sultan Al Neyadi’s participation in this groundbreaking set of experiments has set a new benchmark for space science. Samples indicating suppressed immune states were also gathered and frozen onboard the ISS in the hope they could eventually offer cures for viral infections back on Earth.
The UAE’s Astronaut Program is part of a wider National Space Program funded by the ICT Fund of the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA). UAE officials hope that space missions will support research and development in the ICT sector and enhance the Emirate’s global presence in this increasingly important field.
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Samsung Smart Glasses Teased For January, Software Reveal Imminent
According to Korean sources, the new wearable will launch alongside the Galaxy S25, with the accompanying software platform unveiled this December.

Samsung appears poised to introduce its highly anticipated smart glasses in January 2025, alongside the launch of the Galaxy S25. According to sources in Korea, the company will first reveal the accompanying software platform later this month.
As per a report from Yonhap News, Samsung’s unveiling strategy for the smart glasses echoes its approach with the Galaxy Ring earlier this year. The January showcase won’t constitute a full product launch but will likely feature teaser visuals at the Galaxy S25 event. A more detailed rollout could follow in subsequent months.
Just in: Samsung is set to unveil a prototype of its augmented reality (AR) glasses, currently in development, during the Galaxy S25 Unpacked event early next year, likely in the form of videos or images.
Additionally, prior to revealing the prototype, Samsung plans to introduce…
— Jukanlosreve (@Jukanlosreve) December 3, 2024
The Galaxy Ring, for example, debuted in January via a short presentation during Samsung’s Unpacked event. The full product unveiling came later at MWC in February, and the final release followed in July. Samsung seems to be adopting a similar phased approach with its smart glasses, which are expected to hit the market in the third quarter of 2025.
A Collaborative Software Effort
Samsung’s partnership with Google has played a key role in developing the smart glasses’ software. This collaboration was first announced in February 2023, with the device set to run on an Android-based platform. In July, the companies reiterated their plans to deliver an extended reality (XR) platform by the end of the year. The software specifics for the XR device are expected to be unveiled before the end of December.
Reports suggest that the smart glasses will resemble Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses in functionality. They won’t include a display but will weigh approximately 50 grams, emphasizing a lightweight, user-friendly design.
Feature Set And Compatibility
The glasses are rumored to integrate Google’s Gemini technology, alongside features like gesture recognition and potential payment capabilities. Samsung aims to create a seamless user experience by integrating the glasses with its broader Galaxy ecosystem, starting with the Galaxy S25, slated for release on January 22.