The National Space Science Agency, in cooperation with the US company Maxar Technologies, specializing in manufacturing communication, Earth observation, radar, and on-orbit servicing satellites, satellite products, and related services, organized a stakeholders workshop to introduce the space infrastructure of satellites, ground stations, satellite imagery and data processing and analysis to obtain information of interest to researchers, specialists and decision makers and support efforts to achieve the goals of comprehensive and sustainable development.

The workshop was carried out during the period from 22 to 23 February 2022 with the participation of more than 10 government agencies in addition to a number of military and security agencies whose work is related to the fields of space and its various applications.

This workshop stems from the National Space Science Agency’s endeavor to upgrade the Kingdom of Bahrain to be amongst the leading countries in the field of space by building national capacities and building sound infrastructure in order to achieve comprehensive and sustainable development and promote space science at the national level by spreading awareness, developing advanced research programs and promoting innovation to keep pace with the development witnessed by the Kingdom and achieve scientific and technical progress in line with the Kingdom of Bahrain’s Economic Vision 2030.

The workshop was divided into several axes, the most prominent of which are the definition of the Agency and its role, the identification of the ideal infrastructure of the space sector of satellites, their types, loads and components, launch vehicles and their types, practical examples of space projects, their timetable, resources and requirements, ground stations for satellite control and reception of space data, centers for processing and analysis of space images and data, and applications of Earth observation through remote sensing to support efforts to achieve the goals of comprehensive and sustainable development of different sectors such as disaster control, natural, bathymetry, agriculture, environmental monitoring, energy and natural resources, infrastructure planning, and other examples relevant to participants’ areas of work.

Commenting on the workshop, Ms. Rasha Al Amad, Planning Manager, said: “At the National Space Science Agency, we are used to cooperating with various community institutions to spread awareness of space science and its applications because of its great importance in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and creating a sustainable space sector in the Kingdom of Bahrain. This is the second workshop implemented by the Agency since the beginning of this year and we look forward to organizing more workshops during this year to raise the awareness of representatives of governmental, security and military agencies of the importance of space science and introduce them to the latest technologies used in areas related to their work in a way that contributes to raising performance levels, improving quality, reducing expenses and obtaining the highest satisfaction rates from beneficiaries, all of which are in line with the objectives of the government’s work program and with Bahrain’s Economic Vision 2030, which we all strive to achieve.”

Ms. Al-Amad added: “God willing, the Agency will host more of these events in the coming year, and the concerned authorities are invited to take advantage of such workshops to raise the awareness of space science, technology and applications. The Agency is eager to continue its awareness approach to the importance of investing in the fields of space science, and its endeavors in this regard are numerous and at different levels.”

Ms. Rasha thanked everyone who helped make the workshop successful, Maxar and its specialists for their great efforts, and the NSSA Executive Management for their limited support. She also praised the attendees for their interaction and desire to learn more about contemporary topics.