History was made on Saturday, 15th March as Al Munther, Bahrain’s first locally manufactured satellite lifted off aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9. The Vandenberg Space Launch Complex in California became the site of an epic story for Bahrain’s National Space Science Agency (NSSA), a leap forward in its efforts to improve space innovation at home. Al Munther is a 3U CubeSat, the first satellite of its kind in the region to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) for onboard image processing, according to NSSA. It carries advanced payloads, an Earth observation camera, a cybersecurity system, and a unique feature to broadcast Bahrain’s national anthem and a message from His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa from space. It will operate in a sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of 550 km and is expected to have a two-year lifespan. View this post on Instagram A post shared by الهيئة الوطنية لعلوم الفضاء (@nssa_bh) Advancing Space Innovation in Bahrain Beyond a symbolic achievement, Al Munther represents Bahrain’s strategic vision to develop expertise in satellite technology, space research, and cybersecurity. The mission aims to: • Develop Bahrain’s first nanosatellite operating system, securing intellectual property rights. • Enhance cybersecurity through advanced encryption algorithms to protect space […]

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