Shura member wants Saudi Arabia to establish space agency

Riyadh: A member of the Saudi Shura (Consultative) Council asked the house to discuss the possibility of establishing a space agency in Saudi Arabia.

The request of the Shura member Mohammad Al Kunaizy came after the Council approved on Sunday a draft agreement between Saudi Arabia and Ukraine for cooperation in research and peaceful use of space.

The agreement adopts the creation of cooperation scope in scientific researches aiming at the use of outer space for peaceful purposes and enhancing bonds of cooperation and friendship between the Kingdom and Ukraine.

The agreement is based on the Outer Space Treaty, formally known as the Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space.

Discussion of the member’s request and necessary recommendations on the issue are expected to be dealt with in coming sessions.

Last October, the Riyadh-based The King Abdul Aziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) signed two agreements with the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Nasa).

The deals, for boosting cooperation between the two parties, were signed on the sidelines of the Saudi International Space and Aeronautics Technology Conference which was held in Riyadh 2 October 2010.

The two sides also signed a letter of intent in the space and aeronautics area.
Saudi Arabia has been making strides in space science in the past few years.

It has launched 12 satellites, two of them were sent up in 2000 and were operating until September 2003 and then the SaudiSat was launched. These satellites focus on outer space research which benefits many public and private agencies.

Prince Sultan Bin Salman’s space trip in 1985 aboard a United States space shuttle is regarded as among the inspiration for Saudis to achieve greater accomplishments in the field of space science.