A panel session titled “SpaceUp Competition” was held today as part of the exhibition accompanying the Global Symposium for Regulators (GSR25), hosted by the Communications, Space and Technology Commission in Riyadh. The session highlighted the competition’s contribution to innovating advanced solutions to address challenges facing vital sectors by leveraging space technologies.

The session featured Faiza Al-Otaibi, Research and Innovation Expert at the Waqa Center; Val Monsami, Head of Scientific Affairs at the Saudi Space Agency; Abdullah Al-Asmari, Vice President of Digitization and Data Intelligence at the Riyadh Infrastructure Projects Center; and Mohammed Ashqar, representative of the Ministry of Municipal and Housing Affairs.

The speakers emphasized Saudi Arabia’s aspiration to build an integrated space ecosystem, noting the rapid growth in space communications and its impact on supporting environmental issues. They explained that using space technologies represents a qualitative leap in developing vital sectors. They also reviewed key applications adopted by the Kingdom, including the use of satellite imagery for scientific discoveries, national asset inventory, and road condition monitoring.

Participants noted that the agriculture sector previously faced significant challenges, but adopting preventive strategies supported by space technologies and collaboration with various entities contributed to innovative solutions. They stressed the importance of coordination across sectors to build an integrated infrastructure model based on space technologies, including predictive models for urban projects and support for major events.

The speakers pointed out that space technologies have contributed to infrastructure and road development, providing solutions aligned with the Kingdom’s needs and values, such as using satellite images for technical inspections. They also mentioned that the SpaceUp Competition, organized by the Communications, Space and Technology Commission in partnership with the Saudi Space Agency and New Space Group, contributes to enhancing space entrepreneurship, supporting local specialized companies, attracting global startups and SMEs, and encouraging the adoption of space solutions serving vital sectors.