DigitalGlobe, TAQNIA and KACST to develop imaging satellites

DigitalGlobe Inc., Saudi Technology Development and Investment Company (TAQNIA) and King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) signed an agreement Sunday to begin the development of a group of small imaging satellites to fit the needs of customers on a worldwide scale.

The companies agreed to form the collaboration to develop six or more small imaging satellites to be engineered by DigitalGlobe, a leader in earth imagery and information.

TAQNIA and KACST will benefit not only from DigitalGlobe’s imagery creation system and expertise, but also from the company’s distribution capabilities and the relationships that already exist with its customers, which are the largest buyers of satellite images and geospatial information in the world.

KACST will be responsible for the building, assimilation and launching of the satellites. It will also own 50 percent of the imaging capacities in Saudi Arabia and the surrounding region.

DigitalGlobe will own 50 percent of the capacities in the region and 100 percent outside the Middle East area.