Saudi Arabia’s cosmic aspirations fueling economic prosperity beyond earth

RIYADH: Space exploration has transitioned from being solely government-driven to becoming an essential element of our everyday lives, significantly enhancing our quality of life. 

Saudi Arabia is charting a course toward the stars, propelled by an audacious vision that extends far beyond terrestrial boundaries. Vision 2030 envisions the Kingdom as a formidable player in the global arena of space exploration and technology. 

In an interview with Arab News, Amar Vora, head of space at Serco Middle East, noted that the genesis of Saudi Arabia’s cosmic aspirations can be traced back to 1985, with the historic journey of Saudi Prince Sultan bin Salman Al-Saud and the launch of Arabsat-1A. 

“Let’s not forget the impressive achievements of the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, which has been helping to shape the national vision in space, building up knowledge, capacity, and infrastructure for over 20 years,” he said. 

Vora highlighted the 17 satellites launched by KACST since 2000, along with the Saudi Space Agency’s formation from the Saudi Space Commission.  

He added: “Space endeavors are no longer an exclusive playground for government; it is increasingly becoming a key component of our day-to-day lives, positively impacting our quality of life.”