Bahrain launches first satellite "Al Munther"
In a landmark moment for the Kingdom of Bahrain, the National Space Science Agency (NSSA) has successfully launched 'Al Munther', the nation's first domestically designed and built satellite. The satellite was launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket as part of the Transporter-13 mission from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, USA, on Saturday, 15 March 2025.
This historic achievement marks a significant milestone in Bahrain's journey towards becoming a regional leader in space technology and innovation. The launch of 'Al Munther' underscores the Kingdom's commitment to advancing its capabilities in space science and technology, while showcasing the expertise of Bahraini engineers and scientists.
'Al Munther' was successfully deployed into its designated orbit at an altitude of 550 km above sea level. The satellite will now undergo a series of orbital tests to ensure its operational readiness before commencing full-scale operations.
The satellite is equipped with advanced technological payloads, including a medium-resolution space camera (20 meters/pixel) designed to capture high-quality images of Bahrain and its territorial waters, an artificial intelligence (AI) system capable of real-time image analysis, making 'Al Munther' the first nanosatellite in the region to incorporate such advanced AI capabilities, a cybersecurity payload featuring advanced encryption technologies to safeguard the satellite's data from unauthorised access or tampering, and a radio broadcast payload that will transmit the Bahraini national anthem and a special message from His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, King of Bahrain, to radio enthusiasts worldwide.
One of the most distinctive features of 'Al Munther' is its ability to broadcast the Bahraini national anthem and a royal message via digital signals. These transmissions can be received by amateur radio operators and space enthusiasts around the globe using simple equipment. This initiative aims to promote Bahrain's space achievements and enhance its international presence in the field of space exploration.
Dr. Mohammed Ibrahim Al Aseeri, Chief Executive Officer of the National Space Science Agency (NSSA), hailed the launch as a historic achievement for Bahrain. He stated: 'The successful launch of 'Al Munther' represents an unprecedented milestone for Bahrain in the field of space science. This accomplishment is a testament to the visionary leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, and the unwavering support of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, and Prime Minister, and guidance of His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, National Security Advisor, Royal Guard Commander, and Secretary General of the Supreme Defence Council. This achievement reflects Bahrain's commitment to advancing its capabilities in space technology and innovation.'
The 'Al Munther' project has provided a unique opportunity for a team of young Bahraini engineers to gain hands-on experience in developing advanced space systems. From mission concept development and engineering requirements to system design, software development, and environmental testing, the project has enabled Bahraini talent to contribute to every stage of the satellite's development.
Dr. Al Aseeri added: 'The 'Al Munther' project represents a forward-looking national vision and a significant step towards localising space technology in Bahrain. It has not only empowered our young engineers but also laid the groundwork for future space projects led by Bahraini professionals. This achievement is a proud moment for our nation and a testament to the potential of Bahraini talent.'
The National Space Science Agency (NSSA) is responsible for advancing Bahrain's space sector and fostering innovation in space science and technology. The agency works to develop national capabilities in space exploration, satellite technology, and space applications, contributing to Bahrain's sustainable development and economic diversification.
Under the patronage of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, His Highness Major General Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa witnessed the launch of Bahrain's first satellite, 'Al Munther.' The event was attended by His Highness Colonel Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa and other senior officials.
The launch ceremony was also attended by Speaker of the Council of Representatives, Ahmed bin Salman Al Musallam; Chairman of the Shura Council, Ali bin Saleh Al Saleh; Royal Court Minister, Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa; Commander-in-Chief of the Bahrain Defence Force, Marshal Shaikh Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa; Deputy Prime Minister, Shaikh Khalid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa; Minister of Interior, Lieutenant-General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa; Minister of Finance and National Economy, Shaikh Salman bin Khalifa Al Khalifa; Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications, Dr. Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed Al Khalifa; and Minister of Education, Dr. Mohammed bin Mubarak Juma.
The National Space Science Agency (NSSA) has confirmed the successful deployment and operation of Bahrain's Al Munther satellite in orbit. The satellite has fully activated its solar panels and sensors and has successfully transmitted its first signal to ground stations, verifying its operational status.
BNA(R)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Biz Bahrain
a day ago
- Biz Bahrain
Crypto Miners: Cryptocurrency Mining in Bahrain Reinforces Its Global Industry Leadership
Crypto Miners, a leading company specializing in the sale, installation, and maintenance of cryptocurrency mining equipment, stated that the growing momentum of mining operations—particularly Bitcoin and other digital currencies—within Bahrain is significantly enhancing the kingdom's status as a competitive regional hub and an influential player in the global cryptocurrency market. This progress is also contributing to the attraction of increased foreign direct investment into this promising sector. The company highlighted that Bahrain's progressive financial ecosystem and well-structured legislative framework, coupled with a rising societal awareness of digital economy concepts, form a solid foundation for companies to enter and thrive in the cryptocurrency domain. Crypto Miners pointed out that Bahrain's balanced regulatory environment, supported by advanced tech infrastructure, provides an ideal foundation for the sustainable growth of the cryptocurrency mining sector. These conditions enable Bahraini firms not only to flourish locally but also to export their expertise and services to international markets. Mr. Wassim Saaduddin, Technical Sales Manager at Crypto Miners, underscored the company's ongoing support for the development of the cryptocurrency mining sector in Bahrain, noting that this commitment stems from a strong belief in Bahrain's potential to emerge as a global centre for digital currency mining. Mr. Saaduddin said, 'Crypto Miners operates under a comprehensive vision focused on localizing this high-tech industry, establishing the required infrastructure, and facilitating the transfer of knowledge through the training of skilled national talent.' Mr. Saaduddin further added, 'As part of its corporate social responsibility, Crypto Miners is committed to enhancing public awareness of digital currencies across various segments of Bahraini society. We actively engage in educational initiatives and awareness campaigns, while also striving to provide safe and reliable investment opportunities in the sector. Through our strategic efforts, we aim to contribute to positioning Bahrain as a regional and global leader in cryptocurrencies and blockchain technologies—an objective that fully aligns with the Kingdom's Economic Vision 2030, which prioritizes innovation and digital transformation.'
Gulf Insider
5 days ago
- Gulf Insider
Bahrain Wins First Place In Huawei ICT Global Finals
The Kingdom of Bahrain has achieved outstanding success in the global finals of the Huawei ICT Competition 2024 – 2025, with a joint team from Bahrain Polytechnic and the University of Bahrain securing first place in the Network Track of the competition held in Shenzhen, People's Republic of China. This achievement came after the Bahraini team competed against 40 teams from six global regions in the Practice Network Track, reflecting Bahrain's leadership in developing national talent in the field of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) at the international level. The competition featured participation from teams representing Iraq, Kazakhstan, Lebanon, Pakistan, Qatar, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and Uzbekistan, across multiple tracks including Network, Cloud, Computing, and Innovation. This achievement underscores the distinguished position of the Kingdom of Bahrain in the ICT sector and its commitment to nurturing and empowering national competencies to contribute to technological and innovative advancement both regionally and globally. On this occasion, Bahrain Polytechnic celebrated the outstanding achievement of its students, Mohammed AlKoofi and Sara Jawad, who were part of the Bahraini team that won first place in the Network Track of the Huawei ICT Competition 2024 – 2025 Global Finals. Professor Ciarán Ó Catháin, CEO of Bahrain Polytechnic, received the participating students and expressed his pride in their success, which reflects the high caliber of Polytechnic students and the institution's practical learning approach. He emphasised that this achievement is a clear testament to the ability of young Bahraini talents to compete and excel at the international level. Professor Ó Catháin said: 'Our students' victory in a global competition of this caliber is a testament to the quality of education at Bahrain Polytechnic and the capabilities of our youth. This success highlights our strategic focus on equipping students with the technical and professional skills required to lead in the digital age. Through strong partnerships with industry leaders like Huawei, we are creating real-world learning opportunities that prepare our students for impactful careers.' Harry Yu, CEO of Huawei Bahrain, also congratulated the students, noting: 'This achievement reflects Huawei's firm commitment to developing local ICT talent in Bahrain through strategic partnerships with leading educational institutions. We continue to provide platforms that allow young people to gain hands-on experience and exposure to cutting-edge technologies.' During the closing ceremony in Shenzhen, Ritchie Peng, Director of ICT Strategy & Business Development at Huawei, emphasized the strategic importance of the competition. He noted that it aligns with Huawei's Intelligent World 2030 vision, encouraging students to master advanced technologies such as cloud computing, big data, and AI to address real-world challenges in areas like agriculture, healthcare, and education. Bahrain Polytechnic remains committed to advancing applied education and digital skills development through immersive industry experiences and collaborative learning. This achievement marks another milestone in the institution's mission to empower students as innovators and leaders in the tech-driven future. Source Bahrain News Agency
Daily Tribune
5 days ago
- Daily Tribune
From Passport to Phone: Bahrain Taps Finland's Expertise on e-Travel IDs
TDT | Manama As part of Bahrain's drive to modernize government services and fast-track its digital transformation, a high-level delegation led by His Excellency Shaikh Hisham bin Abdulrahman Al Khalifa, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Interior for Nationality, Passports, and Residence Affairs, has completed an official visit to Finland – a global trailblazer in digital identity systems. The visit comes under the directives of His Excellency Lieutenant General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, Minister of Interior, and reflects Bahrain's commitment to staying ahead of the curve by aligning with the International Civil Aviation Organization's (ICAO) vision to digitize travel documents. In a series of high-level meetings with Finnish officials, including Mr. Matti Sarasmaa, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of the Interior, and Mr. Ilkka Koskimäki, National Police Commissioner, both sides explored avenues for collaboration on digital travel identity projects. The talks centered on adopting international and European standards to ensure secure, seamless, and future-ready solutions for travelers. During the visit, Bahrain's delegation gained firsthand insights into Finland's cutting-edge approach to digital travel identity – from system architecture and security protocols to implementation roadmaps and operational benchmarks. These insights are expected to shape the rollout of Bahrain's own digital ID system. Shaikh Hisham praised Finland's innovation and reaffirmed Bahrain's determination to adopt global best practices in passport and identity management. 'This collaboration marks a significant leap forward in our digital transformation journey. By embracing digital travel identities, we aim to deliver smarter, faster, and more convenient services to citizens and residents alike,' he said. Looking ahead, the envisioned system would allow Bahraini citizens to travel using secure digital IDs stored on their smartphones – turning tedious airport procedures into smooth, tech-enabled experiences. The visit not only reflects Bahrain's ambitions to lead in smart governance but also lays the foundation for a digitally connected future – where travel is not only faster but smarter.
