Saudi oil and gas expertise under study for lunar exploration
A pact between a university in Saudi Arabia and a Japanese space exploration company has raised hopes of utilizing the Kingdom's expertise in oil and gas infrastructure for lunar economy.
Riyadh: A partnership between King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) and the Japanese space exploration company, ispace-Europe, aims to utilize Saudi Arabia’s renowned expertise in oil and gas infrastructure for lunar exploration and economic activities.
Dr. Julien-Alexandre Lamamy, CEO of ispace-Europe, recently shared insights into this collaboration with Arab News.
According to Lamamy, the partnership signed in January holds promise for tangible economic benefits and job creation opportunities in Saudi Arabia through leveraging the country’s leading industries such as mining and oil and gas for lunar exploration.
Dr. Lamamy highlighted that there is a significant potential for Saudi Arabia to apply its strengths in sectors like mining and oil and gas to lunar surface exploration, infrastructure development, and space resources.
He emphasized that ispace envisions working closely with Saudi partners to develop these capabilities and believes the Kingdom is well-positioned to contribute meaningfully to the emerging lunar economy.
The partnership also explores the possibility of transporting Saudi payloads to the moon, though specific details regarding mission timelines and delivery have not been defined yet.
Dr. Lamamy confirmed that the collaboration aims to bolster Saudi national capacities, skills, and knowledge in lunar exploration, with ispace SA aiming to increase projects and job creation within the Kingdom.
Signed during the Saudi-Japanese Ministerial Forum earlier this year, the partnership focuses on designing, manufacturing, testing, and operating advanced technologies for lunar exploration.
This includes rover systems and other scientific payloads for transportation and operation on the moon.
Dr. Maryam Noah, KACST’s vice president of the future economies sector, emphasized that the strategic collaboration reflects KACST's dedication to enhancing Saudi Arabia's leadership in space technology and next-generation lunar exploration.
Takeshi Hakamada, ispace CEO and founder, expressed honor in partnering with KACST for advancing Saudi Arabian lunar technology, missions, and capabilities.
He noted that the initial focus on lunar rover systems, payload transportation, and operations on the Moon represents just the beginning of a broader partnership.
Dr. Julien-Alexandre Lamamy, CEO of ispace-Europe, recently shared insights into this collaboration with Arab News.
According to Lamamy, the partnership signed in January holds promise for tangible economic benefits and job creation opportunities in Saudi Arabia through leveraging the country’s leading industries such as mining and oil and gas for lunar exploration.
Dr. Lamamy highlighted that there is a significant potential for Saudi Arabia to apply its strengths in sectors like mining and oil and gas to lunar surface exploration, infrastructure development, and space resources.
He emphasized that ispace envisions working closely with Saudi partners to develop these capabilities and believes the Kingdom is well-positioned to contribute meaningfully to the emerging lunar economy.
The partnership also explores the possibility of transporting Saudi payloads to the moon, though specific details regarding mission timelines and delivery have not been defined yet.
Dr. Lamamy confirmed that the collaboration aims to bolster Saudi national capacities, skills, and knowledge in lunar exploration, with ispace SA aiming to increase projects and job creation within the Kingdom.
Signed during the Saudi-Japanese Ministerial Forum earlier this year, the partnership focuses on designing, manufacturing, testing, and operating advanced technologies for lunar exploration.
This includes rover systems and other scientific payloads for transportation and operation on the moon.
Dr. Maryam Noah, KACST’s vice president of the future economies sector, emphasized that the strategic collaboration reflects KACST's dedication to enhancing Saudi Arabia's leadership in space technology and next-generation lunar exploration.
Takeshi Hakamada, ispace CEO and founder, expressed honor in partnering with KACST for advancing Saudi Arabian lunar technology, missions, and capabilities.
He noted that the initial focus on lunar rover systems, payload transportation, and operations on the Moon represents just the beginning of a broader partnership.
