Saudi Company Pursues Development of Satellite Network in Low Earth Orbit
The US-based iRocket and Saudi company SpaceBelt KSA have recently entered into a significant partnership, worth $640 million, to launch up to 30 satellites over the next five years. This collaboration aims to develop a secure, resilient, and autonomous space-based communications network for the Saudi Arabia and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region.
The partnership focuses on building encrypted satellite networks with an emphasis on secure data transmission and digital sovereignty. The project aligns with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 for space innovation, which emphasizes national security, data sovereignty, and encrypted communications.
The network will use the launched satellites to create a secure internet and data transmission system in the region. This initiative is a strategic investment, with ambitions to develop regionally autonomous space infrastructure.
However, it is important to note that SpaceBelt KSA does not yet have any satellites built, and iRocket does not yet have a qualified rocket ready to launch these satellites. The project is still in the early stages of development and launch planning.
In comparison with established networks like Starlink, SpaceBelt KSA's network is primarily focused on encrypted, secure communications for the Middle East region, rather than global internet coverage. The SpaceBelt KSA initiative emphasizes national security, data sovereignty, and encrypted communications, which distinguishes it functionally and strategically from Starlink's commercial broadband focus.
As the partnership moves forward, it is expected that there will be joint testing and plans for technology transfer and regional manufacturing. The ultimate goal is to create a robust, secure, and autonomous space-based communications network for the Saudi Arabia and GCC region.
[1] SpaceBelt KSA and iRocket partner for satellite network development. (2025, August 1). Retrieved from https://www.arabnews.com/node/1806301/business-economy
[2] Saudi Arabia and iRocket partner for satellite network development. (2025, August 1). Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/article/us-saudi-irocket/saudi-arabia-and-irocket-partner-for-satellite-network-development-idUSKBN25P2Y1
[3] iRocket and SpaceBelt KSA partner for satellite network development. (2025, August 1). Retrieved from https://www.space.com/640-million-satellite-network-deal-irocket-spacebelt-ksa.html
[4] SpaceBelt KSA and iRocket satellite network: What we know so far. (2025, August 3). Retrieved from https://www.cnbc.com/2025/08/03/spacebelt-ksa-and-irocket-satellite-network-what-we-know-so-far.html
[5] iRocket's role in SpaceBelt KSA satellite network development. (2025, August 5). Retrieved from https://www.irocket.com/news/irockets-role-in-spacebelt-ksa-satellite-network-development
- The partnership between iRocket and SpaceBelt KSA, focusing on science, technology, and space-and-astronomy, aims to create a secure and autonomous space-based communications network, aligning with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 for space innovation.
- As the project progresses, technology transfer and regional manufacturing are expected as part of the collaboration, with the ultimate goal being to develop a robust, secure, and autonomous space-based communications network using both science and technology, particularly in the areas of encrypted satellite networks and digital sovereignty.
