Bahrain’s Ambassador to US attends launch of first locally developed nanosatellite “Al Munther”

California, Mar. 15 (BNA): Under the directives of His Highness General Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, National Security Advisor, Royal Guard Commander, and Secretary-General of the Supreme Defence Council, Shaikh Abdulla bin Rashid Al Khalifa, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the United States, attended the launch of the “Al Munther”, the first Bahraini-built nanosatellite. The satellite was launched aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California as part of the Transporter-13 mission. 

Shaikh Abdulla bin Rashid congratulated His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad, as well as the National Space Science Agency team, on this achievement.

He highlighted Bahrain’s strategic investment in national talent and its participation in the Artemis Accords, further developing space cooperation. He added that Bahrain’s involvement in the accords enhances bilateral relations with the United States, expands opportunities for collaboration and investment in the space sector, and facilitates knowledge and expertise exchange among member states.

Shaikh Abdulla bin Rashid said that “Al Munther” is the first fully designed and developed Bahraini satellite, featuring the Kingdom’s first space-tested operating system. It is equipped with cameras for medium-resolution images of Bahrain and its waters, using onboard artificial intelligence for real-time analysis—making it the first nanosatellite in the region with this capability. 

The ambassador emphasised that this milestone enhances Bahrain’s space capabilities, supports national expertise, and advances AI applications in space technology. He described it as a key step in the Kingdom’s space ambitions, reinforcing its role in the global space industry.