Saudi, US Companies Invest in Saudi Space Sector

A high-ranking Saudi delegation visited the US and succeeded in establishing investments and development partnerships in the space sector.

The meetings discussed several issues aimed at exchanging know-how and technologies on microgravity platforms, cooperating to localize the satellite industry, enhancing joint capabilities to discover space debris, and effectively contributing to building advanced navigational systems.

During his visit to the US, Chairman of the Saudi Space Commission Abdullah al-Swaha held several discussions with heads of US space companies.

Swaha, who is also Minister of Communications and Information Technology, met with the founder and CEO of Axiom Space, Michael Suffredini, and CEO of Redwire Peter Cannito. The meetings were attended by the acting CEO of the Saudi Space Commission, Mohammed bin Saud al-Tamimi.

Swaha and Tamimi discussed investment and development opportunities to enhance the role of the space sector in the Kingdom with CEO of United Launch Alliance (ULA) John Elbon and founder of Space Perspective Jane Poynter.

The meetings aimed to enhance bilateral cooperation in spacecraft launch services, build partnerships to contribute to the growth of the space tourism sector, exchange expertise and technologies, and develop the sector’s role in achieving the goals of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.

The Saudi delegation visited NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, where the Saudi officials were received by Assistant Director of the Kennedy Space Center Burton Summerfield. The meeting discussed investment opportunities in establishing and managing spaceports.

Saudi Arabia is currently focusing on developing space activities and the economy as the Kingdom invests in capacity building, and digital, technical, and research to transform into an innovation-based economy.

The visit to the US aims to strengthen mutual relations and exchange the best global expertise and practices in space exploration, technology, and related industries. It discusses ways to enhance innovation and pioneering projects and transfer and localize advanced technologies in the space sector.

During his visit, Swaha met with the US Deputy National Security Adviser for Cyber and Emerging Technology, Anne Neuberger.

The meeting reviewed fostering partnership and developing cooperation between the two sides in several areas, including cybersecurity, emerging technologies, and creating digital capabilities in cybersecurity.

The minister also met with Ambassador Barbara Leaf, senior director of the Middle East and North Africa Affairs at the US National Security Council, to discuss ways to strengthen cooperation between the two friendly countries in entrepreneurship, emerging technologies, and the development of sustainable and green technology.

The Libyan oil export port of Hariga has stopped operating due to insufficient crude supplies, two engineers at the terminal told Reuters on Saturday, as a standoff between rival political factions shuts most of the country's oilfields.

This week's flare-up in a dispute over control of the central bank threatens a new bout of instability in the North African country, a major oil producer that is split between eastern and western factions.

The eastern-based administration, which controls oilfields that account for almost all the country's production, are demanding western authorities back down over the replacement of the central bank governor - a key position in a state where control over oil revenue is the biggest prize for all factions.

Exports from Hariga stopped following the near-total shutdown of the Sarir oilfield, the port's main supplier, the engineers said.

Sarir normally produces about 209,000 barrels per day (bpd). Libya pumped about 1.18 million bpd in July in total.

Libya's National Oil Corporation NOC, which controls the country's oil resources, said on Friday the recent oilfield closures have caused the loss of approximately 63% of total oil production.

Saudi, US Companies Invest in Saudi Space Sector