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Arabia
Russia to help Saudi Arabia develop space technology
2011-04-11
[Arab News] Russia is to sign an agreement with the Kingdom on developing space technology, Russian Ambassador Oleg B. Ozerov told newsmen on Sunday.
What a novel way to take Saudi money! Still, it would give boys something to dream about and study math and science for... and girls, too, just for the joy of understanding. It might even occur to some that MIT.edu has entire courses on-line for those who don't want to rely on inferior schools for their education.
The Russian envoy was addressing news hounds in Riyadh on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Russian cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin, the first human to travel into space, on April 12, 1961.

"We regard Soddy Arabia as one of the major partners in space cooperation, because the Kingdom became the first country to be directly engaged in space exploration," Ozerov said, recalling Prince Sultan Bin Salman's performance in 1985 when he circumnavigated the Earth and became the first Arab and Mohammedan to travel into space.

Considering the economic potential of Soddy Arabia and the Russian technologies,
Googling "Saudi Arabia scientific research" yields 301,000,000 hits. Seriously.
Yeah, and Googling "Uganda scientific research" yields 84,200,000 hits. Seriously. So The Magick Kingdom(tm) is not even three times as advanced as Uganda!
the ambassador said the combination would make a promising and fruitful cooperation between the two countries.

Ozerov said arrangements are being made by the two countries to sign the Intergovernmental Agreements on Cooperation in the Development and Use of Outer Space For Peaceful Purposes and the Development and Sharing of the Russian Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS).

He said that the Kingdom will become a leading space power in the Arab world.
Is there any competition?
"I would like to assure that on its part, Russia will be glad to contribute to this sector in every field," he said.
Posted by:Fred

#9  Saudi Arabia has OIL + SILICA [sand], both of which the US will need to manufacture advanced materials for deep space travel + colonization.

As said before, the USA is content on letting other World Nations explore the Moon, where we've already been, while the US goes forward to the other planets.

GREEN TECHS/REVOL = 'tis more zabout DEEP SPACE HUMAN ECON, SURVIVAL ACTIVITY, NOT EARTH.

* SNAFU/FUBAR = comes in iff the NASA Boyz take too long to begin post-LUNA MANNED EXPLORATION, ALLOWING OTHER NATIONS TO OVERTAKE US AS PRINCIPAL FOR SPACE..
Posted by: JosephMendiola   2011-04-12 00:00  

#8  Russia supplies the Iranians with nuclear 'power' technology. And KSA with space (ballistic missile) technology. And has lots of oil for the marketplace which would command a premium price if Iran and KSA were busy destroying each other.
Posted by: Glenmore   2011-04-11 21:19  

#7  How much does it cost for the copy with the 7th century AD on it?
Posted by: Thing From Snowy Mountain   2011-04-11 14:47  

#6  I guess if Russian engines are good enough for the US Air Force Space Command they should be good enough for Saudi Arabia.
Posted by: Thing From Snowy Mountain   2011-04-11 14:46  

#5  ..I'd like to point out that the Magic Kingdom has had Chinese-built IRBMs for years, and we know it:

http://www.fas.org/irp/threat/missile/saudi.htm

Now, given Saudi reluctance to actually get their hands dirty, it wouldn't at all surprise me to find that there's a very well paid group of Chinese missile techs babysitting the damned things. But I guarantee enough Saudis know enough to run the things - briefly - if they want.

Mike
Posted by: Mike Kozlowski   2011-04-11 11:40  

#4  I can't help but comment on the graphic - cover art by Dick Calkins, for the Big Little Book "Buck Rogers in the 25th Century A.D."

A classic vintage science fiction collectible! Values range from around $25 ("Good") to approximately $100 for a like-new example. If you have a Near-Mint copy send it to me and I'll happily pay $100. I'm not kidding!
Posted by: Scooter McGruder   2011-04-11 07:12  

#3  Iran is not Arab.
Posted by: gr(o)mgoru   2011-04-11 05:03  

#2  And Gaza. Don't forget Gaza. Though at the moment they are 24,890 miles short of orbit.
Posted by: Zebulon Thranter9685   2011-04-11 01:19  

#1  Is there any competition?

Yep: Iran.
Posted by: Secret Master   2011-04-11 00:47  

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