Saudi Arabia announces successful launch of “Shaheen Sat” satellite

King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology today announced the successful launch of the Shaheen Sat satellite, designed to photograph the Earth and track ships from low orbits, from the Baikonur base in the Republic of Kazakhstan aboard the Russian Soyuz 2 missile.

The “Shaheen Sat” satellite includes a high precision telescope payload for imaging and a payload for tracking seagoing vessels. This satellite, which was developed and manufactured in a short time, is characterized by high precision. imaging range up to 0.9 meters. , weighing not more than 75 kilograms and measuring 56 * 56 * 97 cm.

On this occasion, the president of the city, Dr Anas bin Faris al-Faris, declared in a statement to the Saudi Press Agency that this achievement is the result of the great support enjoyed by the research, development sector. and innovation in the Kingdom of the Guardian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and Prince Muhammad bin Salman, Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, indicating that the success of its launch follows on from the Kingdom’s successes in space, as the city worked to develop and manufacture a group of highly efficient satellites that provide imaging and reconnaissance services, during the launch of 17 satellites over the past twenty years.

Al-Fares added that the “Shaheen Sat” satellite was developed by a Saudi task force from various engineering disciplines in cooperation with city partners, and provides satellite imagery for government and private sector to serve the Kingdom’s development goals. He also works on tracking marine vessels using artificial intelligence techniques and big data.

He stressed that the city will work, in cooperation with the Saudi Space Authority, to invest in technology, develop and manufacture highly efficient satellites in a short period of time.

On the other hand, the CEO of the Saudi Space Authority, Dr Abdulaziz bin Muhammad Al-Sheikh, expressed in an interview with “SPA” his happiness with the distinguished move of the city of King Abdulaziz for science and technology , represented by the successful launch of the “Shaheen Sat” satellite, indicating that this achievement would not have been achieved. Without the unlimited support of the government of the depositary of the two holy mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and his worthy crown prince, the efforts of the Saudi team of engineers and specialists, and the accumulated experience that the city possesses.

He said these achievements are a continuation of astronautics that began in 1405 AH, thanks to the distinguished efforts of the city and the valuable contributions of research centers, government agencies and universities.
He stressed that such achievements will allow the space sector of the Kingdom to achieve the position worthy of the name of our country at the regional and international level at all levels, especially since the space sector is characterized by sustainable growth, this which makes it an economic and strategic future which makes it a destination for all developed countries.

Dr Abdulaziz Al Al-Sheikh explained that King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology has represented the Kingdom in recent years, and after receiving supervision of the sector, the authority continues to work with the city. and other relevant authorities, while taking advantage of Saudi research and development centers that contribute to the growth of the sector and related services. And techniques for the transfer and indigenization of space technologies in accordance with the objectives of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 and the objectives of the Authority in terms of space leadership.