MANAMA: Bahrain launched 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.
A major milestone
Mohammed Ibrahim Al Aseeri, CEO of the National Space Science Agency speaking to Arab News said that “The successful launch of Bahrain’s AlMunther satellite into orbit marks a major milestone in the kingdom’s space journey. I take immense pride in the achievements of the National Space Science Agency team, who have successfully placed 'AlMunther' in orbit, paving the way for initial operations and in-orbit system testing."
Al Aseeri highlighted that 'AlMunther' stands as a remarkable national accomplishment, entirely designed and developed by Bahraini talent. The NSSA team played a key role in innovating, designing, and building its payloads—leaving a pioneering mark on the rapidly evolving global space industry.
"Designed and developed entirely by Bahrainis, AlMunther is a significant national accomplishment. This success reflects our commitment to the royal vision of positioning Bahrain as a leader in space and supports national development, Bahrain’s Economic Vision 2030, and the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals,” Al Aseeri added.
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.
Strengthening Bahrain’s Space Capabilities
Reem Abdulla Senan, head of satellite communication operations, highlighted another key achievement of the mission saying “One of the most significant achievements of the AlMunther mission is the development of a Bahraini-operated software system to manage the satellite and its payloads. This milestone not only advances the nationalization of space technologies but also strengthens Bahrain’s autonomy in satellite operations. The software enables the satellite to efficiently carry out its designated tasks, including data collection, processing, and transmission to Earth, ensuring the seamless execution of mission objectives and the effective management of various onboard payloads.”
She added that the ground station established in Bahrain will play a critical role in overseeing AlMunther’s operations:
“The station allows us to manage the satellite with high precision, support future space missions, and even receive data from other free satellites operating on the same frequencies. The successful initial contact between the satellite and the ground station after launch will mark a pivotal moment—confirming that the communication system is functioning as intended and initiating the structured commencement of scientific operations.”
AlMunther, which means "herald" or "messenger," symbolizes Bahrain’s forward-looking vision and commitment to innovation. It highlights the kingdom’s dedication to building a sustainable space infrastructure, fostering research and development, and inspiring future generations to pursue advancements in science and technology.