On the first anniversary of the launch of the Bahraini satellite “Al-Munthir,” which was launched into space on March 15, 2025, the Bahrain Space Agency is celebrating a full year of the mission’s success and the satellite’s continued performance of its operational tasks in orbit.
On this occasion, Dr. Mohammed Ibrahim Al-Asiri, CEO of the Bahrain Space Agency, said: “Today, we proudly and fondly commemorate the first anniversary of the successful launch of the Bahraini satellite ‘Al-Munthir,’ that historic moment achieved by the hands of Bahrain’s engineers and young professionals, which allowed our beloved Kingdom to join the ranks of nations with space capabilities. This achievement embodied the vision of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the King of the country, may God protect and preserve him, the continuous support of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, may God protect him, and the tireless efforts of His Highness Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, National Security Advisor, Commander of the Royal Guard, and Secretary-General of the Supreme Defense Council, may God protect him, in empowering youth and building a knowledge-based economy.”
He added: “Al-Munthir represents a purely Bahraini success story of which we are proud; it is not merely a satellite, but a symbol of the aspirations of Bahraini youth and their spirit of challenge and determination. From the moment it was placed in orbit, the satellite has proven its worth through its advanced scientific payload, which was developed entirely by Bahraini hands.”
Al-Asiri emphasized the national approach, which prioritizes human development above all else: “The ultimate goal of the ‘Al-Munthir’ project was to build a generation of engineers and technicians capable of leading the national space program. The project served as a comprehensive hands-on experience, as the team progressed from the training phase to the development and implementation phases. Today, we have national talent that has mastered the most complex details of satellite design, assembly, testing, and operation, forming the nucleus of a promising space industry in the Kingdom, God willing.”
For her part, aerospace engineer Aisha Al-Haram, head of the agency’s Satellite Design and Construction Department and project manager for Al-Mundhir, reviewed the key statistics regarding Al-Mundhir during its first year in space, stating: “Al-Munthir has achieved outstanding operational performance, passing over the Kingdom of Bahrain more than 1,083 times and completing over 5,840 orbits around the Earth at a speed of approximately 7.5 kilometers per second. The satellite remains stable in its orbit, continuing its mission to capture images and collect data.”
She added: “What we have achieved in our first year with (Al-Munthir) is a springboard for a more advanced and ambitious phase, and a testament to the ability of our national talent to turn aspirations into tangible achievements in the field of advanced technologies. We affirm that the Bahrain Space Program is moving confidently toward expansion and development, relying on qualified national talent and a clear strategic vision. Space data plays a pivotal role in supporting sustainable development plans and strengthening the national security framework. What has been achieved with “Al-Munthir” is the beginning of a promising journey, and we are working with determination to achieve even greater accomplishments that will place the Kingdom of Bahrain at the forefront among advanced nations in the space sector.”