KACST partners with NASA Lunar Science Institute 2 Riyadh

The Saudi science center’s proposal brings technical and engineering expertise to
advance the broad goals of lunar science at the institute. Specific areas of lunar
study of both scientific and cultural importance include radar and infrared
imaging, laser ranging and imaging, and topographical studies. The center’s
studies in near-Earth object science also offer important contributions to an area
of importance to NASA.


“The Saudi Lunar and Near Earth Object Science Center’s primary mission is to
direct all lunar and near Earth object related research within the Kingdom of Saudi
Arabia,” said Dr. Haithem Altwaijri, deputy director of the National Satellite
Technology Program at KACST. “It will reach out to students in addition to
researchers and present fertile ground for scientific research.”


“NASA welcomes international cooperation for mutual benefit with organizations
large and small in all regions of the world,” said Michael O’Brien, assistant
administrator for external relations at NASA Headquarters in Washington. “Our
continuing discussions with Saudi Arabian officials may lead to future joint
scientific collaboration in other areas of mutual interest,” O'Brien was quoted
as saying in a report carried by NASA web-site.
--SPA