Saudi Arabia is marking four decades since Prince Sultan bin Salman became the first Arab, Muslim, and royal to travel to space, a historic milestone for the kingdom and the wider region.
At just 28 years old, Prince Sultan joined NASA’s Space Shuttle Discovery as a payload specialist on the STS-51-G mission. The week-long mission resulted in the successful launch of the Arabsat-1B satellite, strengthening the Arab world’s presence in space technology.
During the mission, the crew orbited Earth 111 times. Prince Sultan conducted scientific experiments, such as observing oil and water behavior in microgravity, and made history by reading from the Qur’an in space, an act that resonated powerfully throughout the Muslim community.
Space education leaders note that this mission not only broke new ground but also paved the way for Saudi Arabia’s growing ambitions in space, supporting innovation and contributing to national development goals.
Prince Sultan’s achievement, often described as the work of the first “najmonaut,” has become a symbol of Saudi scientific progress and regional leadership in space exploration. His journey continues to inspire future generations to pursue innovation and discovery.
The 40th anniversary highlights both the significance of this historic flight and Saudi Arabia’s ongoing commitment to advancing its space sector and technological capabilities.