RIYADH — Saudi Space Commission signed on Thursday an executive program agreement with China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) to carry out a Saudi scientific mission onboard the Chinese Space Station (CSS) in 2022.

Saudi Space Commission CEO Dr. Abdulaziz bin Mohammed Al Al-Sheikh represented the Saudi Space Commission in signing the executive program agreement, which will also be signed by King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology and the Chinese Manned Space Agency.

This cooperation is based on an invitation to Saudi Arabia from the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) and the Chinese Manned Space Agency to participate in scientific experiments that will be carried out onboard the CSS.

The Saudi scientific experiment focuses on studying the effect of cosmic rays on the performance of the high-efficiency solar cells, used in satellites, by taking advantage of space environmental conditions to conduct those studies and experiments.

The experiment aims to design solar cells capable of working with high efficiency for long periods to ensure the continuity of providing the energy required for the operation of satellites and spacecraft, which helps reduce the cost of space missions. — SG