Space

Arabsat - Saudi Arabia and Communication Satellite Systems

Saudi Arabia is the headquarters of the Arab Satellite Communications Organization which has operated the Arabsat GEO telecommunications system since 1985. With more than 20 member countries, the organization fills a vital role of communications in North Africa and the Middle East for many nations which do not need nor can afford dedicated satellite networks. By the end of 1994, the Arabsat system had been reduced to only one spacecraft, but a new generation of satellites is planned for launches beginning in 1996.

The three Arabsat 1 spacecraft are based on the Aerospatiale and MBB Spacebus 100 platform which was also employed for the EUTELSAT 2 series. Ranging from nearly 600 kg to almost 800 kg at the start of life in GEO, the spacecraft measure 1.5 m by 1.6 m by 2.3 m with a solar array span of about 21 m for 1.4 kW of electrical power. The primary communications payload consists of two S-band transponders and 25 C-band trans-ponders. The nominal design life was seven years.

Arabsat 1A was launched by Ariane on 8 February 1985 but immediately suffered a solar panel extension malfunction. Other failures quickly relegated the spacecraft to backup status until late 1991 when the vehicle was abandoned. Arabsat 1B was launched by the U.S. Space Shuttle and was operated near 26 degrees E from June, 1985, until the summer of 1992 when it, too, no longer continued station-keeping operations. Arabsat 1C was launched by Ariane on 26 February 1992 and was still on station near 31 degrees E at the end of 1994.

As a stop-gap measure to maintain network services until the Arabsat 2 spacecraft become available, the organization leased the Canadian Anik D2 spacecraft (November, 1984) in 1993. Renamed Arabsat 1D, the vehicle was moved from the Western Hemisphere during April August 1993 to a position at 20 degrees E. Arabsat 1D is based on a Hughes HS-376 bus and originally carried 24 active C-band transponders.

A contract for two Arabsat 2 spacecraft was signed with Aerospatiale in April, 1993. The spacecraft will utilize Aerospatiale's Spacebus 3000 platform to carry 22 C-band transponders (including eight 52 W moderate power transponders) and 12 Ku-band transponders. Arabsat 2 spacecraft will have a mass of more than two metric tons on station. The maximum dimensions of the spacecraft bus will be 1.8 m and 2.3 m, and the solar array span will be 25 m for a 5 kW electrical power capacity. The launch of Arabsat 2A is scheduled for 1996 with Arabsat 2B to be followed as needed to maintain astrong 2-satellite constellation. Although Arabsat 2A will be launched by Ariane, the Proton booster is being considered for Arabsat 2B (References 369-371).

Saudi Arabia is an active member of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). It is also a permanent member of the World Administrative Radio Conference (WARC), now the World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC), and presided over WARC-95. Saudi Arabia maintains a close relationship with national and international organizations in the field, such as the Arab Satellite Communications Organization (ARABSAT), the International Telecommunications Satellite Organization (INTELSAT) and the International Mobile Satellite Organization (IMSO).

Arab Satellite Communications Organization (ARABSAT) on October 21, 2003 held a signing ceremony of a contract on the manufacture and launch of the 4th generation of ARABSAT satellites.

Recently, Saudi Arabia initiated and supported the privatization of its leading telecommunication organization, thereby establishing the Saudi Telecommunication Company (STC) as the main provider of telecommunication services and other commercial services. This undertaking underlines the long-term private sector involvement and investment.

In addition to the State-owned radio and television services, Saudi Arabia has supported the establishment of other privately owned and operated services of that kind. The coverage of both services includes the Middle East and extends to many regions worldwide via multi-satellite networks. The State-owned services have been broadcasting to many regions worldwide via ARABSAT.

Plans included making these services, including the Saudi News Agency, available through the Internet.

The satellites of the SaudiComsat series are the first generation of Saudi Arabian low orbit micro-communications satellites (12 kg each) for commercial use. Saudicomsat 4, Saudicomsat 3, Saudicomsat 5, Saudicomsat 6, and Saudicomsat 7 are five Saudi Arabian communications nanosatellites that were launched by a Dnepr rocket from Baikonur at 07:02 UT on 17 April 2007. Each is a 12 kg CubeSat that was built by the students and faculty of King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) for storing and then forwarding communications. The are the first five among a planned fleet of 24 such nanosatellites. The initial orbital parameters all five were similar: period 98.7 min, apogee 730 km, and inclination 98.1°.

The Saudi Geostationary Satellite 1 (SGS-1), manufactured and developed with the contribution of Saudi scientists and engineers, was launched by Arianespace from French Guiana in South America on 05 February 2019. The satellite will be operated and controlled through ground stations in Saudi Arabia. It provides multiple services including broadband communications, secure communications and communications to semi-remote areas and disaster areas. The Kingdom seeks to contribute to the development of national human resources by creating jobs in the satellite industry. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman oversaw the development of the satellite during his US visit in April 2018.