Deploying the ARABSAT-1B satellite during the STS-51-G mission in 1985 secured a milestone in history for Sultan bin Salman Al Saud. By participating in this flight, he became the inaugural royal family member, the first Arab, and the first Muslim to enter space. At the time of the mission, he was twenty-eight, marking him as the youngest person to fly on a space shuttle.
Early Career and Education
Born in Riyadh in 1956, Sultan bin Salman pursued higher education at the University of Denver, where he earned a bachelor's degree in mass communications. He later attended Syracuse University, completing a master's degree in social and political science from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs in 1999. His professional life began in 1982 within the Saudi Ministry of Information, serving as a researcher in international communications until 1984. He subsequently acted as director of the TV advertising department.
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Before his space mission, Sultan accumulated over 1,000 flight hours. Following his 1985 spaceflight, he joined the Royal Saudi Air Force, eventually attaining the rank of colonel upon his retirement in 1996. He helped establish the Association of Space Explorers and remains a member of its International Executive Committee. By February 2020, his cumulative flight time as both a military and civilian pilot had exceeded 8,000 hours.
Public Service and Ministerial Roles
Sultan bin Salman held various high-level government positions. He served as the secretary general of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage starting in 2000, later becoming its president and chairman in 2009. In December 2018, he was appointed chairman of the Saudi Space Commission with the rank of minister. On 3 May 2021, he transitioned to the role of special advisor to the King, also chairing the board of trustees for the King Salman Foundation.
Literary and Cultural Contributions
Beyond his political and aviation career, Sultan has authored several books, including works on architectural heritage and a detailed account of the first Arab space mission, titled One Planet. He also edited a volume on adobe building practices in Saudi Arabia. His personal interests include skiing, gliding, and nature exploration. He manages a farm in Diriyah that serves as a site for documenting regional history and family origins.
Fast facts
- Born: 1956, Riyadh
- Mission: STS-51-G Discovery
- Military Rank: Colonel
- Education: University of Denver and Syracuse University
- Role: First Arab and Muslim in space
- Awards: Knight of the Legion of Honour
Questions readers ask
What was his primary responsibility on the STS-51-G mission?
He served as a payload specialist representing the Arab Satellite Communications Organization for the deployment of the ARABSAT-1B satellite.
Which government roles has he occupied since 2000?
He served as the secretary general, president, and chairman of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage, chairman of the Saudi Space Commission, and special advisor to the King.
Achievements
- Knight of the Legion of Honour
- Educated at Syracuse University and University of Denver
- Worked as astronaut and politician
