RIYADH: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) are joining forces in lunar and asteroid science research.
The partnership recognizes the Saudi Lunar and Near-Earth Object Science Center as an affiliate partner with the Lunar Science Institute at NASA’s Ames Research Center in Moffett Field, California.
“This collaboration is within the scope of the Memorandum of Understanding on Science and Technology signed between the Kingdom and the United States last year, subsequently ratified by the Council of Ministers,” said vice president for Research Institutes of KACST Prince Turki bin Saud.
“The international interest in lunar science and more recently, near-Earth objects, led to the establishment of the science center as a focal point for lunar science in the Kingdom. Furthermore, we are looking forward to our expanding collaboration with NASA for the benefit of both countries.”
The Saudi Science Center’s proposal will introduce technical and engineering expertise to advance the broad lunar science goals at the NASA institute. Specific areas of lunar study, of both scientific and cultural importance, include radar and infrared imaging, laser ranging and imaging and topographical studies. The center’s studies in near-Earth object science also offer important input for NASA’s research in this field.
“This is an important advance in our growing program of bilateral science and technology cooperation,” said US Ambassador to Saudi Arabia James Smith.
“It will help realize President Obama’s goal, expressed in his June 4 speech to the Muslim world, of increasing our cooperation in science and technology, which we believe closely corresponds with King Abdullah’s vision.”
