California - Bahrain’s "Al Munther" satellite has successfully reached its orbit, marking a milestone in the Kingdom of Bahrain’s space technology advancement. The National Space Science Agency (NSSA) team has begun the initial operational phase, which includes testing the satellite’s systems in orbit.
The satellite was launched aboard the Falcon 9 rocket as part of SpaceX’s Transporter-13 mission from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, United States.
On this occasion, Lieutenant General His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, National Security Advisor, Royal Guard Commander, and Secretary General of the Supreme Defence Council, extended congratulations to His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, and Prime Minister, on the successful launch.
His Highness highlighted that Al Munther is the first Bahraini satellite developed using innovative Bahraini expertise, representing a significant step in the Kingdom’s efforts to localise space technology and keep pace with global scientific advancements. His Highness also lauded the NSSA team for their dedication and perseverance in overcoming challenges during the project’s development.
His Highness underscored the space sector’s role as a key driver of the future knowledge-based economy, emphasising its rapid growth and potential for advancing national capabilities. His Highness expressed Bahrain’s commitment to expanding its space initiatives to strengthen its international presence and contribute to scientific and technological progress.
The initial operational phase of the satellite includes testing critical subsystems to ensure full functionality. This stage involves the transmission of vital signals, system calibration, communication stability verification, and data processing accuracy checks. Once fully operational, Al Munther will begin capturing satellite imagery and transmitting data to Bahrain’s ground station. Its payload includes artificial intelligence algorithms and space cybersecurity applications.
&uuid=(email))