Saudi Arabia launches first telecommunications satellite

Saudi Arabia announced yesterday the successful launch of its first telecommunications satellite (SGS1) from the French Guiana Space Centre, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.

SPA reported King AbdulAziz City for Science and Technology as saying that the satellite weighs 6.5 tonnes and has a life expectancy of more than 20 years.

The satellite will provide state-of-the-art telecommunication services for government use as well as commercial use in the Middle East, North Africa, Europe and large parts of Africa and Central Asia.

The satellite will provide broadband and secure communication services as well as communication services to remote areas.

According to SPA, the satellite was developed by Saudi King AbdulAziz City for Science and Technology in partnership with US aerospace manufacturer, Lockheed Martin.

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