Riyadh, April 5 -- Saudi Arabia on Saturday, April 4, successfully launched and established communication with its "Shams" satellite aboard the Artemis II mission, becoming the first Arab nation to participate in a mission under the NASA Artemis programme.

A rocket streaks across the sky during the Artemis II launch, observed by Saudi Space Agency personnel. Photo: X

The satellite was carried on the Space Launch System rocket alongside the Orion spacecraft, which is transporting four astronauts on a crewed mission to orbit the Moon for the first time in more than five decades.

The programme is led by NASA and is a key step towards future deep space exploration, including missions to Mars.

Focus on space weather

"Shams" has been place...