King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) has successfully launched a small-sized Cubesat satellite, in cooperation with the cloud space data analysis company, Spire Global. And that was during the space shuttle mission “SpaceX Transporter-7”, which was launched from Vandenberg Space Base in the United States. The satellite, which was called “6U”, aims to collect high-quality and high-resolution data for terrestrial, coastal and oceanic ecosystems around the world to help the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Observation and characterization of its unique natural resources, which includes an advanced hyperspectral imaging camera, an advanced processing unit, and a Spire Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) sensor.
These technologies will contribute to collecting detailed data on the Earth's surface. Such as the state of vegetation, soil and water, and although the primary mission of the satellite is to photograph and collect data for the Arabian Peninsula and the surrounding area, it also has the ability to collect information and images from anywhere on Earth.
Professor Matthew McCabe, Professor of Remote Sensing and Water Security, and Director of the Climate and Livability Initiative at KAUST, explained that KAUST's launch of this satellite reflects the growing interest in the space sector in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, noting that the Saudi Space Authority has ambitious plans to develop the space economy. local in the future; The need calls for developing innovation and technology, training the next generation of scientists and engineers, and facilitating space exploration research in the Kingdom.
He pointed out that the university launched advanced technology on this satellite platform, which will enable it to collect high-resolution images of the Earth's surface and analyze them, at the same time, even before sending them to Earth. And he indicated that the ability of this satellite is not limited to improving Earth observation operations and research only, but rather it will produce data that can help achieve the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, especially those related to environmental protection and restoration.
Okaz (Jeddah) @okaz_online