Phasing Into a New World: A Crash Course on Saudi Arabia’s Recent Changes in Space Policy

posted on: Sep 23, 2026

By Jahnvi Chopra / Arab America Contributing Writer

Saudi Arabia’s space program has been busy in recent months, but most of it has gone under the radar, not making big headlines. Though the announcement of a new rocket or space exploration mission would make the front page, there have been monumental changes in the kingdom’s laws, international partnerships, and infrastructure, which could potentially shift the nature of space policy in the Arab World.

Recap on the International Forum

In June 2026, Saudi Arabia was elected First Vice-Chair of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS), the UN body that plays a central role in developing international guidelines, norms, and cooperation around the peaceful use of outer space.¹ Shortly after, Saudi delegates participated in the committee’s 69th session, which the Saudi Space Agency described as reflecting the Kingdom’s continued commitment to strengthening collaboration efforts with partners in the nonviolent and sustainable use of outer space.² It’s a small administrative victory, as the position gives Saudi Arabia a more prominent role in the committee’s proceedings as it discusses international space governance and cooperation.

Domestic governance agencies have also been working on rules for telecommunications space stations, including registering and overseeing space stations and providers of space-station capacity. The process began in 2025, after a second draft was released in October, with public consultation continuing into November.³ Unlike a regulatory change developed entirely behind closed doors, the draft went through public approval processes, allowing private-sector stakeholders to comment on the proposed structure and strategy before it moved forward. 

Notably, on the infrastructure side, Neo Space Group (NSG) has been a big focus. At LEAP 2026, the fifth edition of the world’s most-attended global technology conference, NSG highlighted its work on the Saudi Geostationary Satellite 1 (SGS-1), describing it as a major step toward establishing space communications systems managed from within the Kingdom. The company is also developing infrastructure and supporting systems needed to manage satellites and their services, with the stated goal of strengthening Saudi Arabia’s ability to manage its space sector with greater sovereign influence.⁴

An Out-of-this-World Alliance

There’s also a new partner project with Egypt. Egypt and Saudi Arabia have moved forward with plans to develop their first jointly built satellite, with officials from both countries’ space agencies meeting to discuss the project’s implementation plan. The talks follow a framework for dual space operations proposed and established in December 2023, and momentum increased in June 2026, when the Saudi government approved an initiative to design and build the first Saudi-Egyptian joint satellite.⁵ The two countries have not yet publicly disclosed the plans’ specifics, like a launch schedule, or how manufacturing responsibilities will be divided.

This partnership has transcended collaboration in their joint space sector, as both countries have previously hopped on board infrastructure-based initiatives. Some examples include implementing cooperative smart city technology, digital capacity building, and further expanding cross-border tech entrepreneurship programs, just to name a few.

The Sky is the Limit

Just last month, Saudi Arabia’s space sector received updated figures regarding its future growth. The kingdom’s space economy is predicted to expand nearly fourfold, from $8.7 billion in 2024 to $31.6 billion by 2035.⁶ That projection appeared in earlier Saudi reporting within space-related agencies and was reiterated in an August 2026 sustainability report published by the Communications, Space and Technology Commission with support from the International Telecommunication Union, both renowned analytical organizations at the forefront of technologically flourishing industries. The report also notes that more than 50 percent of essential climate variables can be measured from space, explaining why Saudi officials increasingly connect space investment with climate monitoring and sustainability goals.⁷

Even the less flashy parts of the program have kept moving. The Centre for Space Futures and World Economic Forum released an insights report titled ‘Clear Orbit, Secure Future: A Call to Action on Space Debris’ in January of this year, with the Saudi Space Agency among its contributing organizations. The agency has also been running training programs aimed at building and advancing human capabilities to keep pace with the rapid growth of the Kingdom’s space sector.⁸

All these recent developments lean on the more procedural side of things, but nonetheless illustrate the effort nations make to progress in the space industry. Though not the most attention-grabbing headlines, Saudi Arabia is making quite revolutionary changes in international space legislation and policy, increasing international cooperation and infrastructure, and investing in domestic industries.  

1. Saudi Space Agency ↩︎
2. Saudi Space Agency ↩︎
3. Middle East Briefing ↩︎
4. Asharq Al-Awsat ↩︎
5. Arab News ↩︎
6. Arab News ↩︎
7. Saudi Space Agency ↩︎

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