Riyadh Space Fair Paves Way for Generation Interested in the Universe

An astronaut suit on display at the fair.
An astronaut suit on display at the fair.
TT
20

Riyadh Space Fair Paves Way for Generation Interested in the Universe

An astronaut suit on display at the fair.
An astronaut suit on display at the fair.

The Riyadh City Royal Commission launched on Sunday the Riyadh Space Fair, a first-of-its-kind event displaying models of rockets launched from space shuttles and the equipment used on space missions.

Also featured are astronaut suits, pressure and oxygen measuring devices, and food and beverage preservation equipment.

The Fair offers visitors of all ages the chance to enjoy interactive educational experiences and learn about space hands-on. Visitors can expect to learn about the relationship between man and the universe, explore the secrets of space, and learn about the immense recent achievements that have greatly enhanced man’s understanding of the universe.

The Fair is home to seven stations for live experiences that offer fun, adventure, and a wealth of information.

Visitors are taken on a gripping journey in which they learn about the development of astronomy, cosmology, and modern scientific theories about the nature of the universe through entertaining and informative games, interactive simulators like “Walk on Mars.”

They can also experiment with techniques used to study the universe, such as telescopes, satellites and others. Visitors will have all their questions about space answered in interactive sessions about space and its wanders.

Haifa Al-Idrisi, who runs the Fair, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the exhibition seeks to provide an introduction to anyone without a background in space.

“We also hope that the experience will open the doors of space science to young people, whom the exhibition will inspire to enter these fields.”

The fair is being held at the King Salman Science Oasis and runs until February 20.

Saudi Arabia intends to expand its space science research by launching the Saudi Space Commission, which will qualify and train Saudis and launch flights into space, the first of which will take off this year.



Australian-Made Rocket Achieves Liftoff with Vegemite Payload 

In this photo provided by Gilmour Space Technologies an Eris rocket is launched on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, near Bowen, Australia. (Gilmour Space Technologies) 
In this photo provided by Gilmour Space Technologies an Eris rocket is launched on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, near Bowen, Australia. (Gilmour Space Technologies) 
TT
20

Australian-Made Rocket Achieves Liftoff with Vegemite Payload 

In this photo provided by Gilmour Space Technologies an Eris rocket is launched on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, near Bowen, Australia. (Gilmour Space Technologies) 
In this photo provided by Gilmour Space Technologies an Eris rocket is launched on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, near Bowen, Australia. (Gilmour Space Technologies) 

An Australian aerospace company on Wednesday celebrated the short-lived test launch of an orbital rocket carrying a jar of Vegemite in its nose cone.

After waiting 18 months for the right launch window, the three-stage Eris rocket achieved about 14 seconds of flight before sputtering to Earth in a plume of smoke.

It was built by Gilmour Space Technologies, which is vying to send the first locally built rocket into orbit from Australian soil.

"I'm so relieved you couldn't believe," chief executive Adam Gilmour told AFP.

"I was so nervous about it getting off the pad, that when it did, I screamed in pure joy."

Video showed the rocket barely cleared the top of the launch tower, briefly hovering above the ground before running out of steam.

The 23-meter vehicle -- designed to launch small satellites into low-Earth orbit -- was launched from Abbot Point, about 1,000 kilometers (600 miles) up from the Queensland capital Brisbane.

The payload for the test flight was a jar of Vegemite, a popular Australian toast topping, which was strapped inside the rocket's nose cone.

Gilmour said preparations for a second test flight were already under way, with a view to launching within the next "six-to-eight months".

"It's huge what you can prove with just 10 to 15 seconds of flight time," he said.

He added: "I'm sorry to say the Vegemite didn't make it."

The company, which has 230 employees, hopes to start commercial launches in late 2026 or early 2027.