The Saudi Space Agency announced today the successful launch of the Saudi satellite "Shams," which took off aboard the Space Launch System (SLS) as part of the "Artemis 2" mission. With this, the Kingdom marks its presence as the first Arab country to launch a space mission within the historic "Artemis" program, aimed at accelerating scientific innovation and enhancing international partnerships in the field of space.
The "Artemis 2" mission is the second phase of the program led by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) with extensive international participation. This mission aims to return humans to the vicinity of the Moon for the first time in over 50 years, paving the way for future missions to Mars.
Event Details
The mission carries a crew of four astronauts on the first crewed flight orbiting the Moon, aboard the "Orion" spacecraft propelled by the Space Launch System (SLS), which is considered the most powerful rocket in space history to date. This launch carries the Saudi satellite "Shams" as one of the accompanying scientific payloads.
The "Shams" satellite will be placed into a high elliptical orbit (HEO), approximately 500 kilometers to 70,000 kilometers away from Earth. This orbit allows for extensive coverage to monitor the effects of solar and radiative activity, enhancing space weather studies and providing an advanced scientific environment that supports vital applications related to it.
Background & Context
The "Shams" satellite represents a multi-first achievement, being the first Arab mission launched into space within the "Artemis" program and the first national mission specialized in monitoring space weather. The satellite was developed within the Kingdom by national competencies, supported by initiatives from the National Industrial Development and Logistics Program, one of the programs aimed at achieving Saudi Vision 2030.
The "Shams" satellite aims to study space weather and monitor the effects of solar and radiative activity on Earth through four diverse scientific axes, including space radiation, solar X-rays, the Earth's magnetic field, and high-energy solar particles.
Impact & Consequences
This scientific mission contributes to enhancing the reliability and sustainability of vital sectors related to space, such as communications, aviation, and navigation. By providing scientific data, stakeholders can improve operational readiness and enhance the security of the technical infrastructure that the world relies on in daily life.
In this context, the acting CEO of the Saudi Space Agency, Dr. Mohammed bin Saud Al-Tamimi, stated that today's achievement is the result of the unlimited support received by the space sector from the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and his trustworthy Crown Prince. This achievement embodies the scientific and technological progress that the Kingdom has reached under Saudi Vision 2030.
Regional Significance
The Saudi Space Agency confirmed that this achievement embodies the Kingdom's vision in promoting innovation, developing national capabilities, and building qualitative international partnerships, contributing to solidifying its role in the future of space exploration.