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  • James Turrell Is Bringing His Iconic Skyspaces to the Saudi Arabian Desert

    An exhibition on view as part of the AlUla Arts Festival showcases California Light and Space master James Turrell, and features some of his works that take up residence in art galleries as well as renderings for a giant new commission he is developing for the AlUla region of Saudi Arabia. For the upcoming Wadi AlFann commission, the artist will create a monumental succession of chambers joined by tunnels and stairs in the floor of a large canyon, in which visitors will experience “the thingness of light,” as the artist has described it. “I first visited the Wadi AlFann site in 2020,” said Turrell in a statement. “I was surprised that the sandstone formations looked very similar to those in Arizona. I was very familiar with that kind of landscape and strangely felt at home with doing work there.”

  • The Transformative Power of Sculptures and Landmarks in Urban Spaces: The Case of AL Khobar, Saudi Arabia

    The Mujassam Wattan competition, aligned with Saudi Vision 2030, has been a catalyst for integrating meaningful public art into cities across the Kingdom. By inviting artists and designers to create works inspired by Saudi heritage and aspirations, the initiative fosters cultural expression while enhancing urban spaces. In Alkhobar, the competition resulted in the creation of Alarda and Alkhobar Memory, two sculptures that transformed the city's sea front into a cultural and social hub. These works exemplify how public art can redefine spaces, connect communities, and highlight local identity.

  • Saudi minister meets Elon Musk to discuss collaboration in space and AI

    Saudi Minister of Communications and Information Technology Eng. Abdullah Al-Swaha met with American billionaire Elon Musk to discuss ongoing partnerships in space and artificial intelligence sectors. This meeting underscores Saudi Arabia's commitment to advancing its technological landscape through strategic collaborations. In recent developments, the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology organized a workshop with the United States, involving over 20 entities from both public and private sectors. The workshop aimed to enhance digital partnerships between the two nations, support innovation in the telecommunications sector, and foster collaboration between the public and private sectors.

  • Saudi Arabia’s Neo Space Group to Acquire UP42 from Airbus

    Saudi Arabia’s Neo Space Group (NSG) is making an acquisition in the Earth observation space, acquiring UP42 from Airbus Defence and Space. Terms of the deal were not disclosed in the Dec. 3 announcement. The deal is subject to regulatory approval.  UP42 is a geospatial solution platform that allows customers to access data and task satellites across multiple EO providers. The company is based in Berlin and its partners include Planet, BlackSky, Capella Space, Esri, and more. It serves end customers in a range of market verticals including agriculture, urban planning, real estate, infrastructure monitoring, and disaster management.

  • Saudi Arabia approves cooperation agreement with US for the use of outer space for peaceful purposes

    The Cabinet session, chaired by Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh on Tuesday, approved a framework agreement for cooperation in the fields of air navigation and the exploration and use of airspace and outer space for peaceful purposes between Saudi Arabia and the United States of America. The Council also approved, in principle, the national general framework and guiding principles for foreign direct investment.

  • Gulf states must not allow use of airspace against Iran, Iranian official says

    Tehran has told Gulf Arab states it would be "unacceptable" if they allowed use of their airspace or military bases against Iran and warned that any such move would draw a response, a senior Iranian official said. The official also said any action by Gulf states to balance oil markets should Iranian energy facilities be hit by Israel was not part of the discussions so far. The comments come amid growing concern over possible Israeli retaliation for last week's Iranian missile attack, as Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi visits Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states including Qatar for talks on Wednesday.

  • HALO Space expands testing operations to Saudi Arabia

    Saudi Arabia’s Communications, Space, and Technology Commission has played a key role in supporting HALO Space’s endeavors. The upcoming full-scale, uncrewed test flight of the Aurora capsule is scheduled for late 2024 and aims to reach altitudes of up to 20 miles (30 kilometers). This flight is expected to be critical for validating the capsule’s systems and safety mechanisms before future commercial flights are planned.

  • Airlines Forced Into Saudi Airspace Amid Mideast Conflict

    Airlines connecting Europe with the Middle East and South Asia are being forced to fly a more circuitous path using Egyptian and Saudi Arabian airspace as the escalating regional conflict blocks of routes over Iran and Iraq for many carriers. Bloomberg's Leen Al-Rashdan reports.

  • Saudi space pioneer recognized by Guinness World Records as first female Arab in space

    The first female Arab astronaut has had her pioneering spaceflight recognized by Guinness World Records, the organization announced on Monday. Saudi Rayyanah Barnawi was part of the Axiom Mission 2 that launched from Cape Canaveral in Florida on May 21, 2023. She was accompanied by fellow Saudi Ali Al-Qarni aboard a craft bound for the International Space Station. In her first message she said: “This trip does not represent me alone, but rather the entire Arab world and all Saudis. We are living a dream that once seemed impossible but has become reality.”

  • Saudi Arabia plots space industry transformation

    Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund-backed Neo Space Group (NSG) is looking to lease multi-orbit capacity to bolster its foothold in the satellite market, ahead of likely owning and operating its own constellation. “Our team is currently working hard to identify those areas in the market where it makes sense to deploy our own capital,” NSG’s newly appointed CEO Martijn Blanken told SpaceNews in an interview.