Saudi Arabia Develops Two New Reconnaissance Satellites
Saudi Sat 5A and Saudi Sat 5B are set to be launched this year, via the Chinese space rocket Long March 2D, to support remote sensing services in the Kingdom
Dr. Shaul Shay
| 07/10/2018
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman tours an innovation gallery of Saudi Arabian technology, including an exhibit by King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, at MIT, USA (Photo: AP)
The King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) developed two new high-accuracy remote-sensing reconnaissance satellites, called Saudi Sat 5A and Saudi Sat 5B. The satellites will be launched this year, via the Chinese space rocket Long March 2D to support remote sensing services in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The Saudi Arabian Vision 2030 is the roadmap for this effort, and creating a high-technology research and industrial sector – such as space and satellite programs – is an important priority for Riyadh.
King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST)
KACST is both the Saudi Arabian national science agency and its national laboratories. The science agency function involves science and technology policy making, data collection, funding of external research, and services such as the patent office. The main responsibilities of KACST are: (1) Propose a national policy for the development of science and technology and develop strategies and plans necessary to implement them; (2) Coordinate with government agencies, scientific institutions and research centers in the Kingdom to enhance research and exchange information and expertise; (3) Conduct applied research and provide advice to the government on science and technology matters; (4) Support scientific research and technology development; (5) Foster national innovation and technology transfer between research institutes and the industry; (6) Foster international cooperation in science and technology.
KACST has developed a comprehensive national strategy for science and technology and established specialized departments at several universities to offer courses in space and mechanical engineering. These institutions include King Fahad University of Petroleum and Minerals, King Saud University, King Abdulaziz University, and King Abdullah University for Science and Technology. There are plans for these universities to produce research in the field.
The KACST set up the Saudi Center for Remote Sensing, which is the nucleus of its space research and began its cooperation with NASA through the Challenger Space Shuttle to research the Empty Quarter Desert. The Kingdom also established a research center to study the Moon and planets in our solar system in cooperation with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Tamyuz Center for Joint Aviation and Space Research at Stanford University.
The Kingdom established the National Program for Satellite Technology and Aviation Technology, the Center for Geographic Information Systems, and the Center for Digital Studies.
The National Satellite Technology Center develops, manufactures, tests, launches and operates (from two ground stations) the satellites of Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia has designed and manufactured 13 satellites by King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), demonstrating its expertise in the field. KACST has refined its production processes to produce satellites quickly and at low cost. They can be used to test new systems out in space, including telecommunications, and energy and data storage. KACST already launched 13 satellites and participated in the exploration mission of “Changi 4” Satellite with the Chinese.
King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)
King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) is working on strengthening the Kingdom’s position, in relation to space and aeronautical technologies and systems through the country’s national and international cooperation in research and development programs.
The university launched a developed system for satellite tracking and controlling of commercial ships. The system includes comprehensive daily coverage of ship traffic of up to 30,000 ships around the world.
The Changi 4 Satellite Mission with the Chinese
China has launched on August 30, 2018, a lunar communications satellite designed to support a mission to put a lander and rover on the far side of the moon by late 2018. The Changi 4 mission was originally supposed to be launched in 2015 but was delayed due to changes in the mission’s design.
The satellite included a small lunar optical imaging detector developed by Saudi Arabia, as part of an agreement between King Abdulaziz City of Science and Technology and the China National Space Administration. The Saudi research team manufactured a compact payload with a high capacity of less than 10.5 cu.cm and a weight of no more than 630 grams. The payload consists of photographic and data processing units, among others, that is not only light in weight but also able to endure the space environment. The equipment is capable of taking photos from different angles and altitudes that vary according to the lunar orbit changes. The payload was readied in a record time of no more than 12 months.
Summary
The launch of the two new satellites comes as part of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 aiming to localize strategic technologies. The Kingdom seeks through the space and aeronautical technology program to achieve regional leadership in this vital sector relying on its preeminent position and vital capabilities that will allow the country to obtain its objective.
[Sources: Al Arabiya, MEED, IAFASTRO, Arab News, KACST]
Saudi Sat 5A and Saudi Sat 5B are set to be launched this year, via the Chinese space rocket Long March 2D, to support remote sensing services in the Kingdom
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman tours an innovation gallery of Saudi Arabian technology, including an exhibit by King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, at MIT, USA (Photo: AP)
The King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) developed two new high-accuracy remote-sensing reconnaissance satellites, called Saudi Sat 5A and Saudi Sat 5B. The satellites will be launched this year, via the Chinese space rocket Long March 2D to support remote sensing services in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The Saudi Arabian Vision 2030 is the roadmap for this effort, and creating a high-technology research and industrial sector – such as space and satellite programs – is an important priority for Riyadh.
King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST)
KACST is both the Saudi Arabian national science agency and its national laboratories. The science agency function involves science and technology policy making, data collection, funding of external research, and services such as the patent office. The main responsibilities of KACST are: (1) Propose a national policy for the development of science and technology and develop strategies and plans necessary to implement them; (2) Coordinate with government agencies, scientific institutions and research centers in the Kingdom to enhance research and exchange information and expertise; (3) Conduct applied research and provide advice to the government on science and technology matters; (4) Support scientific research and technology development; (5) Foster national innovation and technology transfer between research institutes and the industry; (6) Foster international cooperation in science and technology.
KACST has developed a comprehensive national strategy for science and technology and established specialized departments at several universities to offer courses in space and mechanical engineering. These institutions include King Fahad University of Petroleum and Minerals, King Saud University, King Abdulaziz University, and King Abdullah University for Science and Technology. There are plans for these universities to produce research in the field.
The KACST set up the Saudi Center for Remote Sensing, which is the nucleus of its space research and began its cooperation with NASA through the Challenger Space Shuttle to research the Empty Quarter Desert. The Kingdom also established a research center to study the Moon and planets in our solar system in cooperation with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Tamyuz Center for Joint Aviation and Space Research at Stanford University.
The Kingdom established the National Program for Satellite Technology and Aviation Technology, the Center for Geographic Information Systems, and the Center for Digital Studies.
The National Satellite Technology Center develops, manufactures, tests, launches and operates (from two ground stations) the satellites of Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia has designed and manufactured 13 satellites by King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), demonstrating its expertise in the field. KACST has refined its production processes to produce satellites quickly and at low cost. They can be used to test new systems out in space, including telecommunications, and energy and data storage. KACST already launched 13 satellites and participated in the exploration mission of “Changi 4” Satellite with the Chinese.
King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)
King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) is working on strengthening the Kingdom’s position, in relation to space and aeronautical technologies and systems through the country’s national and international cooperation in research and development programs.
The university launched a developed system for satellite tracking and controlling of commercial ships. The system includes comprehensive daily coverage of ship traffic of up to 30,000 ships around the world.
The Changi 4 Satellite Mission with the Chinese
China has launched on August 30, 2018, a lunar communications satellite designed to support a mission to put a lander and rover on the far side of the moon by late 2018. The Changi 4 mission was originally supposed to be launched in 2015 but was delayed due to changes in the mission’s design.
The satellite included a small lunar optical imaging detector developed by Saudi Arabia, as part of an agreement between King Abdulaziz City of Science and Technology and the China National Space Administration. The Saudi research team manufactured a compact payload with a high capacity of less than 10.5 cu.cm and a weight of no more than 630 grams. The payload consists of photographic and data processing units, among others, that is not only light in weight but also able to endure the space environment. The equipment is capable of taking photos from different angles and altitudes that vary according to the lunar orbit changes. The payload was readied in a record time of no more than 12 months.
Summary
The launch of the two new satellites comes as part of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 aiming to localize strategic technologies. The Kingdom seeks through the space and aeronautical technology program to achieve regional leadership in this vital sector relying on its preeminent position and vital capabilities that will allow the country to obtain its objective.
[Sources: Al Arabiya, MEED, IAFASTRO, Arab News, KACST]
