JEDDAH: Saudi engineers and researchers have completed work on a payload for a Chinese space vehicle that will explore the moon, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.
The joint exploration is in line with a memorandum of understanding concluded between China and Saudi Arabia during King Salman's visit to Beijing in mid-March 2017, the SPA said, quoting Prince Turki bin Saud bin Mohammed, president of King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST).
The joint venture intends to study and explore the moon, "particularly the invisible side of it to provide scientific data for researchers and specialist in space research and science."
As agreed upon by the KACST and the Chinese Space Agency, the Saudi side will build a payload for a space sensory system for use in filming and take photos of the moon.
"The payload was readied in a record time of no more than 12 months during which the Saudi research team faced numerous challenges, most prominent of which was the importance of manufacturing a compact payload with a high capacity of less than 10.5 cu.cm and a weight of no more than 630 grams on the Chinese satellite," the KACST head said.
The payload consists of photographic and data processing units, among others, that is not only light in weight but also able to endure the space environment.
The equipment is capable of taking photos from different angles and altitudes that varies according to the lunar orbit changes, Prince Turki was quoted by the SPA as saying.
"Saudi Arabia's taking part in this great event would boost, no doubt, its efforts to develop its satellite technologies and use it in several fields of reconnaissance and distance censoring as well as space telecommunications, in addition to proceeding with the march of catching the world race in this field," he said.
Saudi team develops payload for use in joint lunar exploration with Chinese Space Agency
Saudi team develops payload for use in joint lunar exploration with Chinese Space Agency
- The joint exploration is in line with a memorandum of understanding concluded between China and Saudi Arabia during King Salman's visit to Beijing in mid-March 2017,
- Under the agreement, the Saudi side will build a payload for a space censoring system for use in filming and take photos of the moon.
Cabinet discusses Saudi efforts to enhance security and stability of Yemen
- Cabinet discussed Saudi contributions to addressing the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip by intensifying its air, sea and land bridges to provide relief to the Palestinian people
RIYADH: The Cabinet on Tuesday discussed efforts exerted by Saudi Arabia to enhance the security and stability of Yemen and to create a supportive environment for dialogue among all parties.
The Cabinet reiterated its welcoming of the request of the president of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council Rashad Al-Alimi to hold a dialogue conference in Riyadh for all southern factions, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The conference aims to develop a vision for just solutions to the southern issue that meet the legitimate aspirations of the southern people, SPA added.
The Cabinet discussed Saudi contributions to addressing the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip by intensifying its air, sea and land bridges to provide relief to the Palestinian people, under the directives of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
The Cabinet was also briefed on the contents of telephone calls received by Prince Mohammed from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Syrian President Ahmad Al-Sharaa, the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif.
The discussions covered relations between Saudi Arabia and their respective countries, as well as regional and international developments, SPA said.
On the domestic front, the Cabinet affirmed the Kingdom’s commitment to further enhancing its position in advanced technologies and building an integrated digital ecosystem that contributes to supporting the competitiveness of the national economy and attracting investments.
The Cabinet also highlighted the launch of the world’s largest government data center project, Hexagon, in Riyadh which represents a significant strategic leap toward the Kingdom becoming a global hub in this field.The project will ensure data sovereignty and security and enable innovation, SPA said.
