In a pioneering step aimed at promoting scientific culture and inspiring a new generation interested in space science, the Saudi Space Agency announced the launch of the “Ab’aad” digital platform, an innovative initiative dedicated to the community of astrophotographers in the Arab world. The platform seeks to be the premier destination for amateur and professional astrophotographers, with the goal of disseminating a culture of observing and documenting cosmic phenomena and enriching Arabic content in this specialized scientific and artistic field.
Abaad platform goals and future vision
The “Ab’aad” platform aims to empower those interested in documenting cosmic phenomena and building a specialized Arabic visual archive that serves as a resource for researchers and students. The platform focuses on showcasing Arab talent in astrophotography by offering multiple participation tracks, including diverse themes such as “Deep Space,” which focuses on nebulae and distant galaxies; “The Solar System,” which photographs planets and moons; “Star Movement,” which tracks the paths of celestial bodies; and “Space and Heritage,” which combines the beauty of the sky with heritage sites on Earth. These diverse tracks ensure broad participation and contribute to highlighting the creative work of photographers at both the local and Arab levels.
General context: The Kingdom and space exploration
The launch of the “Ab’aad” platform comes within the broader context of Saudi Arabia’s growing efforts in the space sector, which align with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 aimed at building a knowledge-based economy and diversifying income sources. Since the establishment of the Saudi Space Agency (formerly the Saudi Space Authority), the Kingdom has worked to develop its national capabilities in this vital sector. This initiative complements a journey filled with achievements, beginning with the journey of Prince Sultan bin Salman Al Saud as the first Arab and Muslim astronaut in 1985, and reaching recent milestones such as sending Saudi astronauts Rayana Barnawi and Ali Al-Qarni to the International Space Station, reflecting a firm commitment to scientific research and exploration.
The importance and expected impact of the platform
Locally, the “Abaad” platform is expected to contribute to building an interactive scientific community and encouraging young people to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Regionally, the platform serves as a bridge to unify the efforts of Arab astrophotographers and provide reliable and engaging Arabic scientific content, thus enhancing the Kingdom’s position as a leading science and technology hub in the region. Internationally, this initiative places the Kingdom on the map of countries supporting “citizen science” projects, where amateur photographs can contribute to real scientific discoveries. Participation in the platform is simple: participants take astronomical photographs and upload them to the platform, where they are evaluated by specialists. Outstanding submissions are then showcased monthly on the agency’s official platforms, providing creators with a unique opportunity to present their work to a wide audience. The agency invites all those interested in participating to visit the “Abaad” platform via the official link: https://ssa.gov.sa/abaad-platform/.
