Kuwait enters space sector with debut satellite launch
KUWAIT CITY, January 4, 2023
Kuwait's first satellite was successfully launched into space on Tuesday in what was hailed as a milestone effort in setting up the country's space industry, state news agency (Kuna) said.
"Kuwait Sat-1" was launched onboard the SpaceX Falcon 9 from the US State of Florida's Cape Canaveral in an endeavour undertaken by Kuwait University and funded by the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences.
The launch was the culmination of diligent work over the course of the past three years, aiming to bring Kuwait's space ambitions to fruition, the report added.
The launch was monitored through a ground reception station, which will receive information from imagery collected by the satellite. The station is located in Sabah Al-Salem Science City in the university’s campus, said the Kuna report.
A large number of officials and attendees watched the launch of the rocket that carried the satellite into space. "This is a national project within the framework of Kuwait’s 2035 vision to establish national staff, as we aim to develop the scientific field in Kuwait," Acting Director of Kuwait University Dr Suad Al-Fadhli said.
"Our ambitions have reached the sky with the efforts of our youth, and I am honored to witness this achievement and all efforts spent in avoiding obstacles," remarked Dean of Kuwait University’s College of Science Mohammed bin Sabt.
"Today is a historic day for Kuwait, fully accomplished by Kuwaiti efforts that will record a milestone for Kuwait’s presence in the space field," she added.
