National Center for Satellite Technology
ADVANCED MANUFACTURING WORKSHOP
In 1999, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology established the National Center for Satellite Technology under the supervision of the Space Research Institute.
The Space Research Institute includes:
- Satellite Technology Center.
- Aviation Technology Center.
- Center for Advanced Materials Technology.
- Photonics Technology Center.
- Saudi Center for Remote Sensing.
- Center for Geographic Information Systems.
- Center for Digital Studies.
- Contractual Projects Office.
- High-efficiency computers and receiving stations.
The topic will focus on the capabilities of the National Center for Satellite Technology, including satellite manufacturing laboratories and workshops:
The mechanical workshop was established in 2010 based on the need to manufacture mechanical parts for Saudi satellites, which requires a high degree of precision and mastery. The workshop is operated by a Saudi team consisting of engineers who plan, program and prepare the necessary manufacturing steps, and a technical team that operates the machines and production.
The design
DELMIA - CATIA The workshop contains a group of Saudi engineers specialized in mechanical design, analysis and testing using the latest manufacturing programs used.
Manufacturing
The workshop employs a number of nationally qualified technicians and engineers who work on manufacturing mechanical parts using the latest CNC machines. There are several types of milling machines that operate on five axes and modern TURNING MACHINE.
Cutting preparation
The workshop has a specialized section in applications that deal with manufacturing methods and techniques, which depends on the team’s experience, as there is a VIES VACUUM vacuum system and various systems to comply with manufacturing requirements and the size of the manufactured pieces.
Manufacturing software
The workshop contains competencies trained in the latest programs used in design and manufacturing processes, CAD CAM, and one of those programs is POWER MILL, which enables the factory to program and simulate the required parts and verify them before operation.
Product quality
The workshop has a department specialized in quality control and measurement to ensure compliance with specifications. This department contains a number of modern measuring machines: CMM, ROUGHNESS, ROUNDNESS, LINEAR HEIGHT
Training
The workshop has a section specialized in training on operating and programming CNC numerical control machines, where there are two types of training. The first is based on training on milling machines, and the other is based on training on TURNING MACHINE lathes, where training is conducted using the SIEMENS system, which is considered one of the latest advanced programs. Used in manufacturing machines.
The National Satellite Center participated in the SaudiSat-5A-5B project in several areas:
- Optical engineering is responsible for the design and analysis of optical elements such as mirrors and lenses
- Mechanical engineering is responsible for designing the mechanical parts that support optical elements
- Software Engineering is responsible for all software for visual collimation
- Developing image processing systems and lunar mission planning systems
- Engineering support through (product life cycle)
- Carrying out the necessary optical and mechanical tests to ensure the efficiency of the optical system
Upgrading satellite infrastructure and laboratories
King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology aims to raise national capabilities to develop, manufacture, and test advanced satellite systems to serve the national need. These efforts include upgrading current laboratories and laboratories to develop satellites with sizes, capabilities, and purposes greater than the current capabilities:
- The mechanical manufacturing workshop moved to the new headquarters within the city and inaugurated its devices and equipment, in addition to training, design, simulation, and quality management laboratories.
- New laboratories for basic systems testing.
- And a new laboratory for processing electronic boards.
- And a thermal coating laboratory for mechanical structures of satellites.
- Expansion of existing clean rooms.
- Environmental testing laboratory to serve the development of satellite technologies.
- Thermal discharge testing laboratory
- Electronic production laboratories
- An integrated laboratory for environmental tests, including mechanical vibration systems, electromagnetic compatibility tests, thermal discharge, and measurement of mechanical properties that simulate the life conditions of the moon during the launch stages.
- Upgrading assembly and testing laboratories
-Upgrading the Saudi satellite control station and increasing its capabilities to operate a number of satellites at the same time.
Supply and installation of small satellite laboratory devices and equipment (CubeSat)
Supplying equipment for small satellite development laboratories (CubeSat), developing space science and related technologies, and contributing to the transfer of advanced technologies in the field of satellites and their development to support national needs consistent with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.
The laboratories will include:
- Advanced Electronics Laboratory.
- Mechanics laboratory.
- Clean room (Class 10K)
- Pressure and temperature testing laboratory.
- Ground station
Manufacture of mechanical parts for SAUDISAT-4 satellites
Electromagnetic compatibility testing laboratory
Mechanical vibration systems testing laboratory
The National Satellite Technology Center also participated in the
SAUDISAT-4project
- Satellite computer electronic board design
- Design and construction of satellite main memory
