Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Tunisia have successfully launched a total of four satellites into space from Kazakhstan using the same Soyuz-2 rocket provided by Russia. This joint endeavor marks a significant step in advancing regional space exploration capabilities for all three nations.
According to a report from the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), two Saudi Arabian satellites were sent into space from the Baikonur Space Base in Kazakhstan using the Russian Soyuz-2 carrier rocket. These satellites, named Shaheen Sat and CubeSat, were entirely locally produced and represent a breakthrough for Saudi Arabia in the development of space technology.
In a statement posted on the Saudi Space Agency’s Twitter account, it was highlighted that these satellites were 100% locally manufactured, a remarkable achievement in advancing the nation’s technological self-reliance and space ambitions.
Simultaneously, the official news agency of the UAE, WAM, released images showing the launch of the DMSat-1 nanometric satellite. This satellite, equipped with advanced observation technology, is designed to monitor regional climate change, environmental pollution, air quality, and the levels of greenhouse gases. DMSat-1 will collect essential data that can be used to address environmental challenges and provide insights into the impact of climate change in the region.
Tunisian Milestone in Space
Tunisia also celebrated its own achievement by successfully sending its satellite, Challenge 1, into space using the same Russian launch rocket. The satellite, which was built with locally manufactured equipment, marks a significant technological step forward for Tunisia, reinforcing its growing presence in the global space sector.
The Tunisian President, Kais Saied, proudly acknowledged this achievement, stating: “What is happening today is the result of the talents of the Tunisian youth, who can overcome all difficulties and obstacles and reach anywhere with will and faith.”
Russia’s Contribution to the Launch
The Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) played a key role in facilitating these successful satellite launches. Initially scheduled for March 20, the launch of 38 foreign satellites via the Soyuz-2 rocket was delayed by one day due to technical reasons, but the operation proceeded smoothly on March 21.
The collective success of these launches demonstrates the increasing collaboration between Middle Eastern and North African countries in the space sector, showcasing their growing technical capabilities and ambition to explore beyond Earth’s atmosphere.
