Space Activities in Saudi Arabia

Turki Bin Saud Al-Saud

VP for Research Institutes

King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology

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ASE Prague 2009 - XXII ASE Congress of Space Explorers

Saudi National Science, Technology, Innovation Plan

National Science and Technology Policy Elements of the National Policy Programs and Technology Priorities Plan Implementation

Space Technology Strategy

Highlights on Activities

Overview

National Science and Technology Policy: Origins and Achievements

KACST was directed by its charter of 1986

– to “propose a national policy for the development of science and technology and to devise the strategy and plans necessary to implement them.”

– to coordinate with government agencies, scientific institutions and research centers in the Kingdom for enhancing research; exchanging information and expertise; and avoiding duplication of efforts

KACST-Ministry of Planning Collaboration

National Science and Technology Policy: Origins and Achievements

The Kingdom is the first

in the region to embark on a national S&T

policy

Three years of intense

deliberations with

stakeholders

Over 500 participants

from research, academia, industry,

government and non-governmental

organizations

The Council of Ministers approved the comprehensive National Science and Technology

Policy on the 8th of July 2002

Join the advanced knowledge-based economies with highly competitive

STI ecosystem by 2025

Transform to a knowledge-based economy and

society, joining the advanced industrial nations

4th

5y Plan

(2025)

Become a leading country in STI in Asia

3rd

5y Plan

(2020)

Become a leading country in STI in the region

2nd

5y Plan

(2015)

Establish infrastructure for science, technology and innovation

1st

5y Plan

(2010)

Long-term Vision

Elements of the National Policy: Goals, Objectives and Strategic Bases

• Strategic Basis # 1: A comprehensive vision for the development of the Kingdom’s science, technology and innovation system and catalyzing productive interactions among all system components

• Strategic Basis # 2: Enabling education and

training so as to create and absorb scientific and

technological advancements

• Strategic Basis # 3: Developing national capabilities in science and technology to address sustainable development and other societal needs

Policy Highlight

Create an integrated and effective National

Innovation System that moves the Kingdom

into a knowledge-basedeconomy

• Strategic Basis # 4: Addressing national security priorities through competitive science and technologies

• Strategic Basis # 5: Promotion, development and diversification of sources of financial support for scientific research and technology development

• Strategic Basis # 6: Continuation and expansion of various forms of technology transfer, and enhancement of competitiveness of productive sectors through appropriate technologies

Policy Highlight

Increase research and development

funding from various sources to

reach 1.6% of national GDP by 2020

Elements of the National Policy: Goals, Objectives and Strategic Bases

• Strategic Basis # 7: Supporting and fostering human capabilities for creativity and innovation

• Strategic Basis # 8: Development and enforcement of necessary regulations for efficient governance and improved management of scientific and technical institutions

• Strategic Basis # 9: Orchestrating scientific and technological cooperation at the Gulf, Arab, and Islamic region, and international levels

• Strategic Basis # 10: Making scientific information available and facilitating access to such information

Elements of the National Policy: Goals, Objectives and Strategic Bases

• Governments often intervene in the marketplace to address market failures in STI investments

• Governments can support the development of self-sustaining clusters of high growth industries through strategic initial investments

• Throughout the world, virtually all major universities are supported at least in part by government or philanthropic funding (Harvard, Oxford etc.)

• South Korea, Finland, India, Ireland, Malaysia, and Singapore, are all noteworthy for the emphasis they have placed on education and research

Elements of the National Policy: The Roles of Government and the Private Sector Investment in Science, Technology and Innovation

PR

OG

RA

MS

Transfer, development and localization of technology

Scientific and technical human resources

Diversifying financial support resources

Institutional structures for science, technology and innovation

Science, technology and society

Science, technology and innovation system

Strategic and advanced Technologies

Scientific research and technical development capabilities

Programs and Technology Priorities

Advance

d T

ech

nolo

gie

s of

Str

ate

gic

Im

port

ance

to t

he

Kin

gdom

Petrochemicals

Biotechnology

Information Technology

Energy

Environment

Nanotechnology

Electronics and Communications

Oil and Gas

Advanced Materials

SPACE AND AERONAUTICS

Water

Technology Priorities for the Kingdom

Plan Implementation Progress in the NSTI Plan Implementation

Supervisory Committee for the National STI Plan

Formed

Comprising KACST,

Ministry of Higher EducationMinistry of PlanningMinistry of IndustryMinistry of Finance

Six Leading Universities

Highest Level of Policy Commitment

Attained

SR 7.9 Billion ($2.1 Billion)approved for

the next five years

Policy and Governance

Alignment of NSTI PlanWith Five-Year

EconomicDevelopment Plan

National interventions

being designed

Program DesignAnd

Implementation

NSTI Detailed Plans

Technology Innovation

Centers (TICs)

BADIRFor

Technology Incubation

R&DManagement

Training

Intellectual Property

ManagementSystem

InternationalCooperation

Peer ReviewProcess

Reengineering

TechnologyDevelopment

Fund

National InnovationEcosystem

Outreach and

Awareness

Strategic Intent

Develop detailed plans for 11 advanced technologies of strategic importance to the Kingdom

Initiate cross-institutional interactions to identify technology priorities and implementation strategies

Generate excitement in the research community

Beneficiaries Research community at large

Academia Industry

Public research-performing organizations

Implementation

Partners

KACST Ministry of Planning

All major stakeholders from academia, industry and government International panel of advisors

Progress Till Date

12 science, technology and innovation plans completed Plans for Healthcare, Agricultural and Building and Construction

technologies underway Major breakthroughs achieved in collaborative planning

Plan Implementation National Science, Technology, and Innovation Plans

Process Highlights

Strategic planning team formed andkey stakeholders identified

Technical consultations with stakeholders and international experts

Stakeholder workshops forKSA requirement and SWOT analysis

Strategic goalsidentified;

vision, mission andtechnology

targets developed

Strategic plan Formalized

Analysis of current status of technology and other countries’ experiences

Plan Implementation National Science, Technology, and Innovation Plans

Strategic Intent

Promote university-industry research collaboration and technology transfer

Strengthen university research and education Address selected economic and social goals of the Kingdom

Implement best practices - structure, incentives, and requirements of successful programs in countries similar to KSA

Beneficiaries Private Sector (Large Companies as well as SMEs)

University Researchers Students

Implementation

Partners

Universities Ministry of Higher Education

Ministry of Finance KACST

Progress Till Date

TIC Design Completed by International Panel Program to be Launched Formally at the ATF 2009

Implementation Underway, First 3 TICs to be Funded in 2009

Plan Implementation Technology Innovation Centers

Plan Implementation Technology Innovation Centers

Strategic planning is practiced and is an important ingredient

Strong center leadership is evidenced

Co-investment by state or local government units is common

Co-investment by universities is also present

Enjoy financial support from industry

Student involvement is strong in most center programs

Include substantial numbers of permanent research staff

Show a strong role by the funding program or agency in the program design

Informed by Global Best Practices Focus on research in fields that are linked to national priorities Strong emphasis on research, strong or moderate stress on technology transfer and industrial or user

relevance

Strategic Intent

Promote technology entrepreneurship in the Kingdom Transfer technologies from research labs to market

Create high-wage, value-added employment Stimulate economic growth through knowledge-based industries

Beneficiaries Individual entrepreneurs with creative ideas

Researchers with technologies (from universities, private or public research organizations)

Students

Implementation

Partners

KACST Saudi Credit Bank

Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, SAGIA Mawhiba

Private and Public Sector Organizations

Progress Till Date

BADIR – ICT launched and operational BADIR – Biotech under implementation

BADIR – Advanced Manufacturing Incubator design completed Incubation Policy for KSA drafted

Plan Implementation BADIR: Program for Technology Incubation

BADIR-ICT Highlights

Incubator launched in Jan 2008 First tenant accepted in Nov 2008 Currently, number of client companies: 12 10 on-site + 2 off-site

Total Incubator Space: 5,800 Sqm (over 75% reserved for client firms)

Incubator focuses on ICT and ICT-related enterprises, supporting both technology and service companies, with flexible services suited to each segment

Major stakeholders include Saudi Telecom Company (STC), Saudi Credit and Savings Bank, Mawhiba, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Saudi Arabian Government Investment Authority (SAGIA) and other major private sector and government institutions.

Plan Implementation BADIR: Program for Technology Incubation

Strategic Intent

Reengineer peer review process for scientific research proposals

Inject international best practices in peer review Create a fair, transparent and efficient review system

Beneficiaries Researchers at

Universities Public research-performing organizations

Private sector participants in collaborative research

Implementation

Partners

KACST International panel of advisors

Progress Till Date

International models reviewed AAAS (American Association for the Advancement of Science)

selected as review partners Digital infrastructure under assessment

Plan Implementation Scientific Peer Review Process Reengineering

Strategic Intent

Catalyze the flow of knowledge, technology and information across all stakeholders

Provide a platform for dialog and cross-institutional collaboration

Leapfrog Saudi Arabia towards a knowledge economy within a reasonable timeframe

Beneficiaries The Kingdom as a whole

Individuals Industry

Society at large

Implementation

Partners

KACST Al Aghar Group

Ministry of Planning A host of leading minds from industry, academia and government

International panel of mentors and advisors

Progress Till Date

Platform for cross-institutional dialog developed Consensus built around vision, mission and strategic goals

NIE frameworks compared with intellectual rigor Analysis of gaps and design of interventions underway

Plan Implementation National Innovation Ecosystem

IP Management

Focus is on processFast decisions on IP protection

IP policies and organizational systems

Technology Development

Fund

Funding options under studyScope to cover all strategic technologies

R&D Management

Training

Purpose is to prepare “good” R&D managersTraining by professionals

International best practices

Outreach andAwareness

International Technology Incubation Forum (ITIF 2009)Advanced Technologies Forum (ATF 2009)

InternationalCooperation

International cooperation with the EU and the USTechnology partnerships with IBM, Intel and others

Alliance with Stanford Research Institute (SRI International)

Plan Implementation Other Key Initiatives

Saudi National Science, Technology, Innovation Plan

National Science and Technology Policy Elements of the National Policy Programs and Technology Priorities Plan Implementation

Space Technology Strategy

Highlights on Activities

Overview

• Areas – Earth observation– Navigation– Telecommunications– Geodesy– Space science

• Applications– Satellite System Development – Space Services– Science Missions

Space Technology Strategy: Priority Areas in Space Platforms

• Areas – Monitoring and change detection– Natural hazards– National spatial data infrastructure

• Applications– Urban development– Vegetation– Pattern recognition– Dust storms– Flood– Fires (forest, brush-fires)– Regulations– Standards– Networking– Intelligent transport systems

Space Technology Strategy: Priority Areas in Remote Sensing and GIS

Saudi National Science, Technology, Innovation Plan

National Science and Technology Policy Elements of the National Policy Programs and Technology Priorities Plan Implementation

Space Technology Strategy

Highlights on Activities

Overview

Nano Satellites

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Remote Sensing Satellites

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Images from SaudiSat-3

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Geostationary Satellites

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Scientific Collaborations

• Texas A&M University

– Near Earth Object studies– Currently working on developing a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) mission to

validate an asteroid mitigation method– Advanced optical systems research– Joint offer of course in space systems design

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Launch mission by ~2022

Rendezvous with Apophis after ~ 5 month travel time

Maintain ~ 400 m standoff distance from Apophis for 4 years

Relay data to ground stations on Earth to determine mitigation effectiveness

Deploy albedo altering experiment during mitigation

Scientific Collaborations

• Stanford University– Gravity Probe B data analysis– UV LED flight experiment

• Spacecraft Bus design and launch– Angular Grating flight experiment

• Spacecraft Bus design and launch– Space Time Anisotropy Research (STAR)

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Scientific Collaborations

• NASA– NASA Lunar Science Institute (NLSI)

• Saudi Lunar and Near Earth Object Center to become an affiliate research center

– NASA Ames Research Center• STAR in collaboration with Stanford University• UV LED• Angular Grating• LEO science and technology demonstrator missions

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