Co-founder and CEO of the international Austrian company Blackshark Michael Putz said the company has contributed to maximizing the space industry and strengthening the space economy in Saudi Arabia, by drawing a complete dynamic map of the Kingdom on an area estimated at more than one million square kilometers.
Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, Putz said the programs proposed by Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, in Vision 2030 constituted an incentive for his company to explore cooperation opportunities in the field of the space industry.
He explained that the programs of the Saudi vision, which aim to position the Kingdom as a leading global player in the advanced space economy, were a major stimulator for international companies.
Putz noted that Blackshark was ready to provide its services to support the portal that is dedicated for international companies looking for projects in the space sector in the Kingdom, and to facilitate the identification of the appropriate opportunities through the Saudi Technical Development and Investment Company Taqnia, owned by the Saudi Public Investment Fund.
“In just 90 days of completion, we supported the Saudi Taqnia company, by building a solution to draw a dynamic map of the entire Kingdom, on an area estimated at more than one million square kilometers, in a few hours,” he said.
“This first achievement in the world became possible, thanks to the technological solution we provide, which enabled Taqnia to create its own artificial intelligence models, with the support of young Saudi GIS engineers,” he added.
The achievement ensures that intellectual property in the Kingdom remains on the safe list, generates local jobs, and positions Saudi Arabia as a leading center for dynamic space mapping, he stressed.
Putz stated that the company is developing programs that allow drawing dynamic maps of the Earth’s surface, indicating that Blackshark’s directions coincide with the Vision 2030 strategy regarding the space industry.
“Our journey began with video games, and in 2016, Microsoft contacted us to help create the new Microsoft Flight Simulator,” he remarked.
Putz pointed out that the success of Microsoft Flight Simulator presented a great opportunity to market the technology in industries far beyond the traditional gaming sphere.
