July 19, 2002	Friday	Jamadi-ul-Awwal 8, 1423

RIYADH, July 18: In a move to use satellites for commercial and scientific uses, Saudi Arabia is planning to launch its third satellite later this year.

This satellite will be launched from a Russian station and will provide vital data on weather conditions and oil exploration, besides monitoring the movement of vehicles in the remote parts of the kingdom.

This will be part of a growing space research programme currently being implemented by the kingdom.

“Saudi Arabia has already launched two other satellites, which were designed by Saudi engineers and scientists,” said Prince Turki ibn Saud, the head of the Riyadh-based King Abdul Aziz City for Science and Technology (KACST).

Saudi Arabia is the only second Arab country after Egypt to launch its own satellites.