RIYADH — Saudi astronauts Rayyanah Barnawi and Ali Al Qarni conducted space kite experiment from the International Space Station (ISS) with middle school students in Saudi Arabia via satellites.

The interaction is aimed at building and incentivizing a new generation of Saudi leaders, explorers and scientists whilst achieving the objectives of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 in terms of building cadres and enhancing a culture of research, development and innovation in students.

The Saudi Space Commission (SSC) organizes educational experiments in partnership with the Communication, Space and Technology Commission, the Ministry of Education, King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity (Mawhiba), and Al-Riyadh and Misk schools.

This experiment enabled students to communicate with the two astronauts, raise questions and compare research results from the astronaut's experience being in a microgravity environment to those students who are on the ground.

This educational experiment with middle school students tackled aerodynamics.

It focused on comparing the aerodynamics of the 'space kite' inside the ISS, where there is a microgravity environment, versus what happens on Earth, showing them how the behavior is different on the ground as opposed to in space.

The experiments seek to increase students' interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

They also aim to build human capital by attracting talents and developing the necessary skills in this field, contributing to enhancing the Kingdom's role in developing the space sector and its position in the global community in space science research and investing that research in the service of humanity. — SPA