Saudi Arabia Successfully Launches Two Satellites into Space
The SaudiSat 5A and SaudiSat 5B, launched from China, were developed by King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) and will be used for aerial surveying purposes
Dr. Shaul Shay
| 12/12/2018
Long March 2D carrier rocket takes off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center (File photo: AP)
King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) in Riyadh announced the successful launch of the “SaudiSat 5A” and “SaudiSat 5B” satellites, on December 7, 2018, on the Long March 2D space rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center of the People’s Republic of China.
The satellites will provide government agencies with high-resolution satellite images similar to those in developed countries for use in various fields. The two satellites are managed and operated from an advanced control station located at KACST headquarters.
The King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology developed the two high-accuracy remote-sensing reconnaissance satellites in accordance with the international standards. Work on the satellites was announced completed on October 4, 2018.
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 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.
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 has already launched 13 Saudi satellites between 2000 and 2017. It also participated in the implementation of scientific experiments in outer space in cooperation with the US space agency (NASA) and Stanford University on board the satellite SaudiSat 4 in 2014. KACST also participated in the exploration mission of “Changi 4” Satellite with China.
The SaudiSat 5A and SaudiSat 5B, launched from China, were developed by King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) and will be used for aerial surveying purposes
Long March 2D carrier rocket takes off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center (File photo: AP)
King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) in Riyadh announced the successful launch of the “SaudiSat 5A” and “SaudiSat 5B” satellites, on December 7, 2018, on the Long March 2D space rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center of the People’s Republic of China.
The satellites will provide government agencies with high-resolution satellite images similar to those in developed countries for use in various fields. The two satellites are managed and operated from an advanced control station located at KACST headquarters.
The King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology developed the two high-accuracy remote-sensing reconnaissance satellites in accordance with the international standards. Work on the satellites was announced completed on October 4, 2018.
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 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.
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 has already launched 13 Saudi satellites between 2000 and 2017. It also participated in the implementation of scientific experiments in outer space in cooperation with the US space agency (NASA) and Stanford University on board the satellite SaudiSat 4 in 2014. KACST also participated in the exploration mission of “Changi 4” Satellite with China.
