LEAP 2026 Showcases Saudi Space Sector Progress

Visitors to LEAP 2026 pointed to major progress in Saudi Arabia's space sector during the four-day technology event held at the Riyadh Exhibition and Convention Center in Malham, north of the capital, from 31 August to 3 September 2026 under the theme "Into New Worlds."

The event featured dedicated space technology tracks under broader "space" and "DeepTech and Space Exploration" themes, covering satellite technology, Earth observation, lunar exploration, and the building of sustainable space economies. Attendees highlighted advances in satellite systems and GPS, alongside the Kingdom's growing ability to operate advanced space services and position itself as a regional hub for safe satellite launches and a sovereign space industry.

Among the national entities showcased was Neo Space Group (NSG), which is developing and operating space capabilities locally, including the Saudi Geostationary Satellite 1 (SGS-1) for sovereign communications. The group is also building satellite operations infrastructure inside the Kingdom and working to localize expertise and develop Saudi talent in the sector.

New programs and partnerships

Several targeted initiatives were announced. D-Orbit Saudi launched a Saudi workforce program to train engineers on live satellite missions, while sessions explored creating sustainable economic value from space, international partnerships, Earth-observation applications, and innovation in space technologies. The company ispace took part in discussions on supporting Saudi exploration of the Moon.

LEAP 2026 recorded more than 821 completed meetings, including sessions in the "Space Tech" track, reflecting active business and partnership development. Across four days, the event generated nearly USD 15 billion in announcements, investments, and agreements spanning advanced technologies such as AI, cloud computing, and related infrastructure.

For residents and professionals across Saudi Arabia, the growth of a local space industry signals new career paths, skills-training opportunities, and long-term investment in advanced technology sectors.

---

Stay updated with the latest news, events, sports updates, business insights, real estate and lifestyle stories on Saudi Living — the leading online platform for residents, expats, and visitors in Saudi Arabia.

Follow Saudi Living for daily updates:

• Instagram - @saudiliving
• X - @saudiliving
• Facebook - @saudiliving
• YouTube - @saudiliving