Speaking at the Second Annual Saudi International Space and Aeronautics Technology Conference, Prince Turki bin Saud bin Mohammed, the KACST vice president for Research Institutes said that Saudi Arabia is planning on launching two satellites in 2013 and 2015 as part of the country’s space science development strategy.
Prince Mohammed said that the SAUDISAT4 and SAUDI GEO1 will be equipped with devices of an extremely sensitive nature, including cameras, and would conduct an array of scientific experiments. Twelve satellites have already been launched by the Space Research Institute at King Abdulaziz City of Science and Technology from the Baikonur space station in Kazakhstan which are used for communication technology and other functions.
"It aims to make Saudi Arabia a leading supplier of earth monitoring products from space, interactive maps and strengthen satellite capabilities," the prince said, speaking of Saudi plans for its technological development.