Saudicomsat 1

Saudisat 1A and 1B were developed by the Saudi Institute for Space Research at KACST (King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology), Riyadh, and carried amateur store-forward communications payloads. A constellation of 24 were to be eventually deployed. Saudisat 2 was completely different, a larger satellite capable of imaging the earth's surface with 15 m resolution.

The Space Research Institute at King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST)'s SaudiSat-1A and SaudiSat-1B were the first Saudi-built experimental/amateur communication spacecraft's to be constructed and launched by the Saudi Arabia. Each 23 cm cube shaped spacecraft weighed 10 kg and was covered with solar cells on all 6 sides. Six thin gold antennae protrude from the top and bottom of each satellite. Experiments on board included: passive magnetic attitude control experiment, thermal control experiment, solar panels shadowing experiment, broadband UHF antenna experiment, 4 element UHF narrow band circular antenna experiment, multiple analog and digital communication experiments, ranging experiment, digital electronics radiation experiment, single event upset counter experiment, mechanical high power RF relay experiment, and an autonomous self-healing battery charger and regulator experiment. Each SaudiSat consisted of 5 aluminum frames housing its transmitters, receivers, modems, batteries & charger system, computer and memory storage electronics.

From a ground station in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, nearly 60 channels of telemetry were monitored daily. Initial telemetry indicated very healthy spacecraft, with peak power of nearly 18 watts. Both spacecraft survived three full sun cycles and multiple sun-flare events. Various digital communication experiments provided knowledge in antenna design, interference analysis and power management.

SaudiSat 1A and 1B operated in two modes. The first mode was digital store-and-forward at 9600 baud (Packsat Broadcast Protocol compatible) and the second mode was analog FM repeater (bent pipe.)

Saudi Sat 2 weighted 30 kg and was designed to perform experimental technologies that included taking images with resolution better than 15 m for remote sensing. The orbit was sun synchronous at 700 km. The Saudi Laser Station, part of the Space Research Institute, was to track Saudi Sat 2 with high accuracy.

Mass: 12 kg (26 lb).

• 2000 September 26 - SaudiSat 1A - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC109. Launch Vehicle: R-36M. Mass: 10 kg (22 lb). Perigee: 644 km (400 mi). Apogee: 651 km (404 mi). Inclination: 64.56 deg. Period: 97.59 min.
  Saudisat 1A and 1B were developed by the Saudi Institute for Space Research at KACST (King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology), Riyadh, and carried amateur store-forward communications payloads.

• 2000 September 26 - SaudiSat 1B - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC109. Launch Vehicle: R-36M. Mass: 10 kg (22 lb). Perigee: 644 km (400 mi). Apogee: 664 km (413 mi). Inclination: 64.55 deg. Period: 97.73 min.
  Saudisat 1A and 1B were developed by the Saudi Institute for Space Research at KACST (King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology), Riyadh, and carried amateur store-forward communications payloads.

• 2002 December 20 - SaudiSat 1S - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC109. Launch Vehicle: R-36M. Mass: 10 kg (22 lb). Perigee: 633 km (393 mi). Apogee: 690 km (420 mi). Inclination: 64.60 deg. Period: 98.00 min.
  Amateur store-forward communications payload.

• 2004 June 29 - Saudisat 2 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC109. Launch Vehicle: R-36M. Mass: 35 kg (77 lb). Perigee: 698 km (433 mi). Apogee: 736 km (457 mi). Inclination: 98.30 deg. Period: 99.10 min.
  Experimental technology satellite that included imaging with resolution better than 15 m for remote sensing.

• 2004 June 29 - Saudicomsat 2 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC109. Launch Vehicle: R-36M. Mass: 12 kg (26 lb). Perigee: 698 km (433 mi). Apogee: 783 km (486 mi). Inclination: 98.30 deg. Period: 99.60 min.
  Amateur store-forward communications payload.

• 2004 June 29 - Saudicomsat 1 - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC109. Launch Vehicle: R-36M. Mass: 12 kg (26 lb). Perigee: 699 km (434 mi). Apogee: 751 km (466 mi). Inclination: 98.30 deg. Period: 99.30 min.
  Amateur store-forward communications payload.