Imagine standing in the desert at night, looking up at the stars. Now imagine your country building rockets to reach them. That is what Saudi Arabia is doing right now.
The Kingdom is on a mission to go beyond oil. Under the ambitious economic diversification agenda called “Vision 2030,” Saudi Arabia is turning space into its next big frontier. The national space sector was worth 8.7 billion dollars in 2024. By 2035, it could reach 31.6 billion. That is serious growth.
So, why space? Because it connects science, education, jobs, and national pride. It tells the world that the Gulf nation is ready to compete, not just catch up.
Building New Launchpad
Saudi Arabia’s space story fits into Vision 2030’s three goals: a vibrant society, a thriving economy, plus an ambitious nation. The Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman, calls space a key pillar of progress. His support has turned words into real programmes.
The Saudi Space Agency, set up in 2018 and given more power in 2023, leads the charge. The Communications, Space, and Technology Commission acts as a regulator, keeping things safe and organised. The Supreme Space Council, chaired by the Crown Prince, sets the bigger picture.
Money comes from the Public Investment Fund (PIF), the Kingdom’s financial engine. In 2024, it launched the “Neo Space Group” to build satellites at home. No more waiting on foreign suppliers. The idea is simple: make it local, make it strong, make it last.
Then came a huge moment. In May 2023, Rayyanah Barnawi and Ali Alqarni flew to the International Space Station (ISS). Barnawi became the first Saudi woman in space. The world watched. The mission lasted ten days and included eleven experiments on health, cell science, plus climate research. Even school kids joined in. Over 12,000 students across 47 locations took part in related experiments. Talk about bringing space into the classroom.
This was not just about science. It was about confidence. It showed that Saudi Arabia is more than an oil economy. It is a growing science hub with its eyes on the sky.
The numbers tell the same story. The space market is now worth 1.9 billion dollars. It grows by 13% every year. The global average is 9%. So yes, the Kingdom is moving faster than most.
Investment covers satellite communication, Earth observation, human spaceflight, plus emerging fields like space tourism. For Saudi Arabia, it is about building skills that last and creating industries that attract young minds.
Looking Outward, Thinking Big
Big goals need strong partners. So, Saudi Arabia is working with others. In July 2024, it signed an agreement with NASA, the American space agency. This deal helps both sides share knowledge and explore peacefully.
The Kingdom has collaborated with HALO Space from Madrid to develop near-space tourism. Imagine floating ninety minutes above Earth, observing the planet’s curve. Test flights are set to begin in 2025, with full operations starting in 2026.
These partnerships prove one thing: Saudi Arabia does not want to just watch. It wants to participate, learn, and then lead.
Looking forward, the Kingdom plans to aim even higher, including missions to the Moon and Mars. It wants to develop homegrown spacecraft, support long‑term human spaceflight, plus attract global investors. More than that, it wants to inspire every young Saudi who dares to dream beyond gravity.
Through “Vision 2030,” Saudi Arabia is rewriting its story. Once known for oil, it is now chasing orbits. The desert that gave the world energy is now giving it curiosity.
So next time you look up at the night sky, remember this new chapter. The next great achievement might launch from Riyadh, not just Houston or Cape Canaveral. Maybe that is the real mission: to remind you that big dreams belong to everyone.