Saudi Arabia is set to launch the Saudi Geostationary Satellite 1 (SGS-1), its 16th satellite into space this evening. The launch will strengthen the telecommunications capacity, internet connectivity and secure communications in the MENA region.
As previously reported by BroadcastProME, the satellite has been developed by a team from King Abdul Aziz City for Science and Technology (KACST). It will be launched in French Guiana by Arianespace, which provides launch services for all types of satellites.
Lockheed Martin manufactured, tested and operated the satellite with the participation of Saudi engineers and scientists, who had been trained in order to be able to work and contribute to the satellite project. The launching of the satellite comes after efforts of Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, as well as the Kingdom’s Minister of Defense, who oversaw the stages of manufacture during visits to Lockheed Martin’s San Francisco headquarters in April 2018. During the visit, the crown prince signed the final piece to be placed on the Saudi satellite before its launch with the words “above the clouds.”
Source: http://satelliteprome.com/news/update-saudi-arabia-to-launch-16th-satellite-into-space-today/