The Saudi Space Commission (SSC) concluded yesterday its inaugural summer spaceflight program that targets Saudi middle and secondary school students with the aim of raising their awareness of space science and technologies.
The Summer Space Program, held in association with Saudi Ministry of Education, is part of SSC’s larger-scale Human Capital Program, dubbed Ajyal, that was launched in early 2020 with the goal of inspiring Saudi talents to pursue formal specialization in space.
Commenting on the program, Dr. Abdulaziz Al Al-Sheikh, Chief Executive Officer of Saudi Space Commission (SSC), said: “The Program is one of our inaugural efforts held under Ajyal program to create an educational setting that cultivates curiosity and enthusiasm for space, and directs students’ attention to space studies.”
Dr. Al Al-Sheikh commended the active participation of students in the program that spanned three weeks, announcing that the number of attendees of virtual sessions exceeded 240,000 students. “These activities are early steps on the road of building a generation capable of leading the space industry in Saudi Arabia,” he added.
Al-Sheikh extended his gratitude to the Saudi Ministry of Education as a strategic partner who undertook an active role in devising and delivering the program, hoping that this activity serves as a prelude for further future collaboration.
The Program comprised nine virtual space flights over three days a week (Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday), where students were introduced to fresh concepts on spaceflight preparations, launch and return from space, and took first-hand experience of launching astronauts into space.