Saudi Space Commission, UK Agency Sign MoU on Peaceful Use of Outer Space

The Saudi Space Commission (SSC) and the UK Space Agency signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for cooperation in the peaceful use of outer space.
The Saudi Space Commission (SSC) and the UK Space Agency signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for cooperation in the peaceful use of outer space.
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Saudi Space Commission, UK Agency Sign MoU on Peaceful Use of Outer Space

The Saudi Space Commission (SSC) and the UK Space Agency signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for cooperation in the peaceful use of outer space.
The Saudi Space Commission (SSC) and the UK Space Agency signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for cooperation in the peaceful use of outer space.

The Saudi Space Commission (SSC) and the UK Space Agency signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for cooperation in the peaceful use of outer space.

The agreement is aimed at providing a framework for cooperation in space activities, reviewing areas of common interest in the peaceful uses of space, and facilitating the exchange of information, technologies, and individuals working in related fields on both sides to boost cooperation in space and its technologies, reported the Saudi Press Agency.

The MoU was signed by Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Space Commission, Eng. Abdullah bin Amer Al-Swaha, and UK Minister of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and Member of the British Parliament, Dr. Kwasi Kwarteng.

The MoU also aims to develop bilateral cooperation in building capabilities in space science and engineering and to bolster the role of scientific missions and manned flight programs. It seeks to develop cooperation in Earth observation, space application data, and manufacturing and launching satellites.

The signing of this memorandum is part of the SSC’s efforts to localize technologies and industries and the sustainability of qualitative space systems in the Kingdom in line with the objectives of Vision 2030 and the Kingdom's effort to develop the space sector and its technologies.

The MoU reflects Saudi Arabia and the UK's keenness to continue cooperation in various fields and sectors.



Baby Born on Packed Migrant Boat off Canary Islands 'Doing Well'

A migrant holds a newborn baby as a woman lies inside a rubber boat with other migrants who were rescued off the island off the Canary Island of Lanzarote in Spain, in this handout picture obtained on January 8, 2025/File Photo
A migrant holds a newborn baby as a woman lies inside a rubber boat with other migrants who were rescued off the island off the Canary Island of Lanzarote in Spain, in this handout picture obtained on January 8, 2025/File Photo
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Baby Born on Packed Migrant Boat off Canary Islands 'Doing Well'

A migrant holds a newborn baby as a woman lies inside a rubber boat with other migrants who were rescued off the island off the Canary Island of Lanzarote in Spain, in this handout picture obtained on January 8, 2025/File Photo
A migrant holds a newborn baby as a woman lies inside a rubber boat with other migrants who were rescued off the island off the Canary Island of Lanzarote in Spain, in this handout picture obtained on January 8, 2025/File Photo

A baby girl, who was born on a packed migrant dinghy headed for Spain's Lanzarote island in the Canaries, was being treated in hospital along with her mother and both were in good condition, medical and regional government authorities said on Thursday.

The pair were being treated with antibiotics and monitored by a pediatric team, Dr Maria Sabalich, emergency coordinator of the Molina Orosa University Hospital in Lanzarote, told Reuters.

"The mother and child are safe," she said. "They are still in the hospital, but they are doing well."

The Spanish coastguard said the boat carrying the pregnant mother had embarked from Tan-Tan, a province in Morocco about 135 nautical miles (250 km) southeast of Lanzarote.

Upon discharge from hospital, the mother and infant will be received at a humanitarian center for migrants, before likely being moved to a reception center for mothers and young children on another island, Cristina Ruiz, a spokesperson for the Spanish government in the Canaries capital Las Palmas, told Reuters.

The latest arrivals add to the thousands of migrants that strike out for the Canaries from the western African coast each year on a perilous sea voyage that claims thousands of lives.

Thanks to good weather, the rescue operation was straightforward, Domingo Trujillo, captain of the Spanish coastguard ship that rescued the migrants - a total of 60 people including 14 women and four children - told Spanish wire service EFE.

"The baby was crying, which indicated to us that it was alive and there were no problems, and we asked the woman's permission to undress her and clean her," he said. "The umbilical cord had already been cut by one of her fellow passengers. The only thing we did was to check the child, give her to her mother and wrap them up for the trip."

Overnight, the Canary Islands' rescue services recovered two more boats, bearing a total of 144 people.

Trujillo said the crews were exhausted but proud of their work.

"Almost every night we leave at dawn and arrive back late," he said. "This case is very positive, because it was with a newborn, but in all the services we do, even if we are tired, we know we are helping people in distress."