Saudi Arabia Launches ‘Shams’ Satellite Aboard Artemis II, Marking Historic Space Milestone

Riyadh, The Gulf Observer: The Saudi Space Agency has announced the successful launch and initial communication with the Saudi satellite “Shams,” deployed aboard the Space Launch System (SLS) as part of the Artemis II mission.

The milestone positions Saudi Arabia as the first Arab nation to participate in a mission under NASA’s Artemis program, aimed at advancing scientific innovation and strengthening international collaboration in space exploration.

Artemis II, the second phase of the program, is designed to return humans to the vicinity of the Moon for the first time in more than five decades, laying the groundwork for future missions to Mars. The mission carries four astronauts aboard the Orion spacecraft in the first crewed lunar orbit mission powered by the SLS, the most powerful launch vehicle ever operated.

The Saudi satellite “Shams” is among the scientific payloads onboard and will operate in a highly elliptical orbit ranging from approximately 500 km to 70,000 km above Earth. This orbit enables extensive coverage for monitoring solar and radiation activity and supports advanced space weather research.

“Shams” represents several milestones, including the first Arab payload launched within the Artemis program and Saudi Arabia’s first dedicated mission focused on space weather. The satellite was developed locally by Saudi experts with support from initiatives under the National Industrial Development and Logistics Program, a key pillar of Vision 2030.

The mission aims to study space weather across four scientific domains: space radiation, solar X-rays, Earth’s magnetic field, and high-energy solar particles. The data collected is expected to enhance operational readiness in critical sectors such as communications, aviation, and navigation by improving resilience against space-related disruptions.

Acting CEO of the Saudi Space Agency, Dr. Mohammed Al-Tamimi, stated that the achievement reflects the Kingdom’s rapid advancement in high-tech sectors under Vision 2030, supported by the leadership of King Salman and Mohammed bin Salman.

Meanwhile, CEO of NIDLP, Eng. Jameel Al-Ghamdi, highlighted that the local development of “Shams” underscores the program’s success in fostering technological localization and building competitive national capabilities.

The Saudi Space Agency emphasized that this achievement reinforces the Kingdom’s commitment to innovation, capacity building, and international cooperation in shaping the future of global space exploration.