Bahrain’s space programme is set to take a historic giant leap today with the launch of the first satellite fully made and developed within the kingdom.
Al Munther, developed by Bahrain’s National Space Science Agency (NSSA), will be launched this morning at 9.39am on board a SpaceX Falcon 9 from the American Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.
“Undoubtedly, the launch of Al Munther heralds Bahrain’s steady entry into space,” Al Munther project manager Aysha Al Haram said.
The Falcon 9 Block 5 configuration, which is expected to take Al Munther into orbit
“The project has been a major challenge, but it carried within it many opportunities to develop the capabilities of Bahraini engineers and hone their skills in designing and developing advanced space systems.
“From the beginning, we had a clear goal: to build a Bahraini satellite that incorporates innovative technologies and demonstrates the competence of Bahraini engineers and their ability to manage advanced space projects.
“The project went through several phases, from planning and design to testing and assembly. Each stage posed new challenges that required creative thinking and innovative solutions. The team was up to the task, working long hours to ensure we achieved our goals within the planned timeline.”
The ‘Made in Bahrain’ satellite is part of the Transporter-13 mission, which is SpaceX’s 30th mission this year.
It is one of around 40 payloads on board the rocket, which is part of the SmallSat Rideshare Programme that provides regularly scheduled, dedicated Falcon 9 shared missions.
Al Munther features four locally-developed payloads, including a medium resolution space camera, artificial intelligence-based image processing, cybersecurity module and a unique radio transmission payload, which will broadcast Bahrain’s national anthem and a message from His Majesty King Hamad that can be decoded and received by amateur radio enthusiasts and satellite receiving stations around the world.
The 3.2kg nanosatellite will be the first in the region to use AI to analyse and filter images onboard.
A demonstration model of the nanosatellite on display at the Bahrain International Airshow last year
“Teamwork and dedication to research and development played a prominent role in the success of this project and in achieving this honourable national achievement, which highlights Bahrain’s reputation as a pioneer in the space sector,” NSSA chief executive Dr Mohamed Al Aseeri added.
There will be three stages to the launch, starting with take-off, before the payload separates from the rocket and, finally, the satellite will hopefully enter its sun-synchronous orbit of 550km above sea level.
Once orbit is achieved, the team will test all systems to ensure they are ready for operations, in a phase that could take several weeks before the actual scientific operations begin.
After testing, the first data and images captured will be received and analysed by Bahrain’s own ground station, set up using infrastructure provided by the Bahrain Defence Force.
Key members on the NSSA team included project manager Aysha Al Haram, engineering specialist Yagoob Alqassab, quality management officer Amina AlBalooshi, satellite software development officer Ali Al Mahmoud, communications systems officer Reem Senan, power systems officer Ali Alqaraan, mission planning and orbital performance analysis officer Ahmed Bushlaibi, mechanical system officer Ashraf Khater, space camera payload development officer Muneera Al Malki, integration and testing officer Yousif Al Qattan, and frequency registration officer and ground station team member Marwan Almeer.
Al Munther translates to ‘the herald’ in English and is one of the names used to describe Prophet Muhammad in the Quran.
The mission builds on the success of Light-1, which was launched in December 2021 and built by the NSSA in co-operation with the UAE Space Agency, Khalifa University of Science, Technology and Research and New York University Abu Dhabi.
The launch will be broadcast live on the NSSA website nssa.gov.bh and updates will be posted on @nssa_bh on Instagram.
naman@gdnmedia.bh
View this post on Instagram
&uuid=(email))