Saudi Arabia to Launch Two Satellites
Saudi Arabia is set to launch two indigenous satellites with a precision navigation system within the next few years, Prince Turki Bin Saud Bin Muhammad said.
The satellites - Saudisat 4 and Saudi GEO 1 - will be launched in 2013 and 2015, respectively, said Turki, who is vice president for research institutes at King Abdul Aziz City for Science and Technology.
The two satellites will be equipped with highly sensitive devices and cameras for conducting various scientific experiments.
Saudi Arabia currently has 12 satellites used for a variety of applications, including communication, land and sea navigation, he added.
They were all launched by Russian carrier rockets from the Baikonur space center in Kazakhstan.
"This is a part of a long-range 20 year strategic plan the Kingdom adopted in the field of space technology research. It started in 2005 and will last until 2025," Turki said.
The country will spend more than $2 billion in state funds for these purposes, he added.
