Bahrain set to launch first locally developed satellite
MANAMA: Bahrain is set to launch Al-Munther on Saturday, its first domestically designed and developed satellite.
The project is spearheaded by the National Space Science Agency and marks a milestone for Bahrain's space ambitions.
The craft, a 3U CubeSat, is the first satellite in the region to integrate artificial intelligence for onboard image processing, setting a new benchmark for technological innovation.
Equipped with advanced payloads, it features an Earth observation camera, a cybersecurity system, and a unique broadcast function that will transmit Bahrain's national anthem and a message from King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa from space.
The satellite will operate in a sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of 550 km and is expected to have a two-year lifespan.
It is scheduled for launch onboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from the Vandenberg Space Launch Complex in California.
Al-Munther, which means herald or messenger, symbolizes Bahrain's forward-looking vision and commitment to innovation, and highlights its dedication to building a sustainable space infrastructure, fostering research and development, and inspiring future generations to pursue advancements in science and technology.
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