RIYADH: Saudi scientists plan to study how cosmic rays affect the efficiency of solar cells used in satellites.
The Saudi Space Commission has agreed with the China Manned Space Agency to implement a mission on board the Chinese Space Station (CSS) next year, SPA reported.
It follows an invitation from the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs and the Chinese Manned Space Agency to participate in experiments on board the CSS. The aim is to design solar cells capable of working with high efficiency for long periods to reduce the cost of space missions.
Gulf states such as Saudi Arabia and the UAE are investing heavily in space programs as they target technological advancement and a gradual move away from reliance on fossil fuels to support economic growth.
Saudi Space Commission CEO Abdulaziz bin Mohammed Al Al-Sheikh represented the Commission in signing the executive program, which will also be signed by King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology and the Chinese Manned Space Agency.
Saudi scientists study effect of cosmic rays on solar cells in China space mission
https://arab.news/83cec
Saudi scientists study effect of cosmic rays on solar cells in China space mission
- Follows invitation from UN space office
- Ultimate aim to lower cost of space missions
Saudi Arabia opens real estate market to foreign buyers
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Real Estate General Authority has announced that the regulatory system governing property ownership by foreigners officially came into effect on Jan. 22, with all provisions now enforceable under the national real estate framework.
The authority said applications for property ownership by non-Saudis can be submitted through the official digital platform, Saudi Arabia Real Estate. The system applies to residents and non-residents, as well as foreign companies and entities, in accordance with established legal procedures.
According to the authority, the application process varies by ownership category. Foreign residents in Saudi Arabia may apply directly through the portal using their residence permit, with legal requirements verified automatically and the process completed electronically.
Non-residents are required to initiate their applications through Saudi embassies and consulates abroad to obtain a digital identification number, which enables them to finalize the process via the platform.
Foreign companies and entities without a presence in the Kingdom must first register with the Ministry of Investment through the “Invest Saudi” platform and obtain a unified registration number (700) before completing ownership procedures electronically.
The authority confirmed that the system allows foreign individuals, companies, and entities to own property across Saudi Arabia, with ownership permitted in major cities including Riyadh and Jeddah.
However, property ownership in Makkah and Madinah remains restricted to Saudi companies and Muslim individuals, in line with a regulatory framework based on the Geographic Zones document, which is scheduled to be announced in the first quarter of 2026.
The authority noted that the Saudi Arabia Real Estate portal serves as the official digital gateway for all ownership procedures, ensuring regulatory compliance and direct integration with the national real estate registry to enhance transparency and protect property rights.
It added that the new system is expected to improve the quality of real estate projects by attracting international developers and specialized firms, stimulating growth in the residential, commercial, industrial, and tourism sectors, and creating employment opportunities for Saudi citizens.
The initiative is also expected to strengthen the real estate sector’s sustainable contribution to the Kingdom’s non-oil gross domestic product.
