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Bahraini on space odyssey

CP programme boosted Sulais' confidence
Mohammed Ghazi Sulais represented Bahrain as well as the Islamic and Arab world at the World Space Week youth inspiration project organised by National Aeronautics and Space Agency (NASA) as part of a series of programmes to commemorate its 50th birthday.

The Bahraini student was the youngest among the nine selected from across the world to join the special space occasion in which they experienced weightlessness on a zero gravity flight. Sulais said he was proud to represent the Kingdom in the successful experience. Mohammed is a member of the Crown Prince Youth Training Programme which motivated him to pursue a lot of ambitions.

On completing the programme, the graduate from the Shaikh Abdulaziz Secondary School said, Bahrain youth became more qualified to score top leadership positions to enhance the Kingdom's reputation at the regional and international levels.

He said he had looked forward to promoting Bahrain at such international events and called on the youth to look for such opportunities.

The 18-year-old wore logos representing Bahrain and sponsors of the event. "I wanted to make the people I met familiar with my country and culture. I was told that wearing the logo of Bahrain and pictures of the leadership on the space suit would hurt me but I insisted. My strong sense of belonging to Bahrain made me very proud of being able to represent my country at every moment of that unforgettable experience."

The good news came to Sulais from the Ministry of Education. "This shows the ministry's interest in knowledge of the students, their achievements, personalities and suitability for such events."

Sulais and the other students underwent interviews conducted in English. The questions were critical and in-depth so that the panel could identify the most suitable people, he said.

"Bahrain is small in size but big by its people. I was keen to project the image of Muslims and Arab and their skills and competence," he said. Participating in that celebration allowed to achieve a noble goal and live a historic moment that would not be repeated, he said.

At the beginning of the unique experience with NASA, Sulais did not expect it to be the real thing, but rather a simulation.

"It was the real deal. We were not allowed to have any meals before boarding the zero gravity aircraft in three groups to ease movement. It had four tiny openings as windows and was designed with such high standards that we did not feel the takeoff," Sulais said.

The students experienced weightlessness and being at one-third of their weight, as if they were on Mars. Taking pictures while floating in zero gravity conditions and chasing drops of water and candy was an exciting feeling that cannot be forgotten, he said.

NASA is preparing to mark the 50th birthday in a somewhat sober mood. Though the official date of the legal creation of the agency is July 29, larger celebrations are planned for October.

© Bahrain Tribune 2008