Saudi Arabia is setting the foundation for a sovereign and integrated space economy, according to Martjin Blanken, CEO of Neo Space Group (NSG), a company backed by the Public Investment Fund (PIF).
In an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, Blanken emphasized that strategic investment in space infrastructure and technology is not a luxury, but a prerequisite for achieving the Kingdom’s long-term goals in this critical sector.
Riyadh, he noted, possesses all the necessary assets to emerge as the leading regional center for space technologies.
Blanken underscored that Saudi Arabia is not merely building a new economic sector, but is redefining the concept of national sovereignty in a rapidly digitizing world. In this new era, satellite systems and geospatial data have become strategic assets, much like oil pipelines were in the 20th century.
The Kingdom’s new vision extends beyond being a user or consumer of space technologies, aiming instead for full empowerment through technology acquisition, industrial localization, and the development of domestic talent in the space sector.
NSG is focused on establishing what it calls “sovereign digital infrastructure,” ensuring Saudi Arabia has comprehensive capabilities in satellite communications, Earth observation, and navigation services. This would secure technological autonomy and position the country as an industrial leader within the region.
According to the 2025 report from the Communications, Space, and Technology Commission, Saudi Arabia’s space economy is projected to grow from $8.7 billion in 2024 to $31.6 billion by 2035, with a compound annual growth rate of 12 percent. The space services and infrastructure market alone is expected to expand from $1.9 billion to $5.6 billion during the same period.
Blanken attributed this growth to strong government backing, particularly through PIF, which has invested in both domestic and international platforms across a range of activities including satellite services, remote sensing, and data analytics.
He likened this phase of space investment to the early days of the Kingdom’s oil, industrial, and tourism sectors, long-term decisions that reshaped the national economy.
What sets the space sector apart in Saudi Arabia is its wide range of applications across various industries. Rather than being a standalone technical domain, it serves as an enabling platform for other sectors. Remote sensing technologies are now integral to smart agriculture and water resource management, while satellite navigation systems improve supply chains and logistics operations.
Blanken also highlighted the strategic importance of space in supporting national security. In sectors such as oil, mining, and defense, space technologies contribute to geological surveying, border monitoring, secure communications, and disaster response. As such, space has evolved into a core infrastructure for national security, economic growth, and environmental governance.
Saudi Arabia’s approach is to transform the space sector from a research-driven initiative into a robust economic engine. This aligns with Vision 2030, which prioritizes economic diversification and technological independence.
NSG, as the first national space company supported by PIF, plays a multifaceted role in service development, industrial localization, and talent cultivation. The group recently joined the industrial collaboration program at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), becoming the first space company to do so, a move that reinforces its commitment to R&D and training Saudi professionals.
NSG is working to localize four key pillars of the space sector: satellite communications for aviation and broadband; Earth observation through local imaging and data platforms; navigation and positioning via the development of SBAS and GNSS systems for domestic applications; and a venture capital fund to support space startups.
Strategic partnerships with international firms such as SES, Esri, G&S SatCom, and SuperMap also include clear provisions for technology transfer and the establishment of research centers within Saudi Arabia. The aim is not just to consume imported technologies, but to develop them locally and empower Saudi engineers to lead.
The Kingdom is also expanding its reach across regional markets in civil aviation, defense, agriculture, and geospatial services. NSG recently secured a license from the national space regulator to provide Earth observation services across the Middle East.
Blanken said that upcoming projects include the outfitting of Thai Airways aircraft with satellite connectivity and the commercial launch of satellite-based IoT services in partnership with OQ Technology by the end of the same year.
