Saudi Satellite Shams Launches Aboard Artemis II Mission

Saudi Arabia has participated in the Artemis programme through the launch of the Shams satellite aboard the Artemis II mission, marking its involvement in the international space initiative.

The Shams satellite will operate in a highly elliptical Earth orbit, ranging from approximately 500 kilometres to 70,000 kilometres above the planet.

The trajectory places the satellite in a high Earth orbit with an elliptical profile, enabling it to cover a wide range of altitudes during its operation.

The mission links Saudi Arabia to the broader Artemis framework, which brings together international partners in space exploration efforts. Saudi Arabia becomes the first Arab nation to take part in a mission under the Artemis programme.