Sultan bin Salman Al Saud facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sultan bin Salman Al Saud
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Sultan bin Salman in 2016
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| Born | 27 June 1956 |
| Nationality | Saudi Arabian |
| Alma mater | University of Denver Syracuse University |
| Occupation | Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Space Commission |
| Parents |
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| Occupation | Fighter pilot |
| Space career | |
| Payload Specialist | |
| Rank | Colonel, Royal Saudi Air Force |
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Time in space
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7d 01h 38m |
| Missions | STS-51-G |
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Mission insignia
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Prince Sultan bin Salman Al Saud (Arabic: سلطان بن سلمان آل سعود; born 27 June 1956) is a Saudi prince and a former pilot for the Royal Saudi Air Force. He became famous for flying on the American STS-51-G Space Shuttle mission as a special crew member.
He made history as the first person from a royal family to travel into space. He was also the first Arab and the first Muslim to go to space. At 28 years old, he was the youngest person ever to fly on a space shuttle. In December 2018, he was chosen to lead the Saudi Space Commission. Prince Sultan is the oldest living son of King Salman. He is also a grandson of King Abdulaziz, who founded Saudi Arabia.
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Early Life and School
Sultan bin Salman was born in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on 27 June 1956. His father was Prince Salman, who later became the King of Saudi Arabia. His mother was Sultana bint Turki Al Sudairi.
He finished his early schooling in Riyadh. He later earned a bachelor's degree in mass communications from the University of Denver in the United States. In 1999, he received a master's degree in social and political science from Syracuse University.
Journey to Space
Prince Sultan started his career in 1982, working in international communications for the Ministry of Information in Saudi Arabia. He also helped manage media for Saudi athletes at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
His most famous achievement was his space flight from 17 June to 24 June 1985. He flew as a special crew member on the Space Shuttle Discovery during mission STS-51-G. He was part of a seven-person international crew, which included American and French astronauts. His role was to help launch a satellite for the Arab Satellite Communications Organization (ARABSAT).
After his space journey, Prince Sultan helped create the Association of Space Explorers. This is an international group for all astronauts and cosmonauts who have traveled to space. He is still a member of this group's international committee.
In 1985, Prince Sultan also recorded a short message that was shown on MTV. This message was broadcast during the famous Live Aid concert event. He talked about his recent trip to space. He joined many other well-known people who also shared messages.
Prince Sultan served in the Royal Saudi Air Force starting in 1985. He retired from the air force in 1996. He has spent over 8,000 hours flying as both a military and civilian pilot.
Leadership Roles
In December 2018, Prince Sultan became the chairman of the board for the Saudi Space Commission. Before this, from 2009, he was the president and chairman of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage (SCTH). He had been the secretary general of this commission since it began in 2000.
In these roles, he greatly helped improve Saudi Arabia's plans for tourism and protecting its national heritage. He also helped make the Saudi government more organized and innovative.
In May 2021, Prince Sultan was appointed as a special advisor to the King. He also became the chairman of the board of trustees for the King Salman Foundation, a new non-profit organization.
Books Written by Sultan bin Salman
Prince Sultan bin Salman Al Saud has written several books:
- Early Documents in (Saudi) Architectural Legacy (2010)
- The Architectural Heritage (2010)
- One planet, the story of the first Arab mission to space (2011)
- The Possible Imagination
He also helped edit a book called Back to Earth: Adobe Building in Saudi Arabia (2015).
Personal Life
Prince Sultan bin Salman is married to Princess Haifa. She is the daughter of Prince Saud bin Faisal, who was a former foreign minister of Saudi Arabia. They have three children. Their son, Salman, was born in 1990.
In his free time, Prince Sultan enjoys flying, gliding, skiing, and exploring nature. He owns a farm in Diriyah that combines modern features with historical style. This farm shows his interest in the history of the Al Saud family.
Awards and Recognition
Prince Sultan has received many awards for his achievements, including:
- The King Abdulaziz Sash, Saudi Arabia (1985)
- Certificate of Appreciation from NASA (1985)
- NASA Space Flight Medal (1985)
- Officier de la Légion d’Honneur (1985)
- First Class Order of the Republic, Tunisia (1985)
- Al Bahrain Medal First Class, Bahrain (1985)
- Hilal-I Pakistan (Order of Pakistan), Pakistan (1986)
- Honorary PhD from The King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (1987)
- Golden Medal of Science and Art, Sudan (1987)
- Independence Medal First Class, United Arab Emirates (1987)
- Medal of National Arts, Lebanon (1987)
- Sultan Qaboos Medal, Oman (1987)
- Independence Sash, Qatar (1987)
- Medal of Sash First Class, Kuwait (1987)
- Order of Merit First Class, Republic of Yemen (1987)
- Medal of Stars, Grand Sash, China (1987)
- Iraqi Air Force Badge, Republic of Iraq (1987)
- Order of the Throne, Kingdom of Morocco (1987)
- Military Honor Medal, Syrian Arab Republic (1988)
- Medal for Participation in the Gulf War, Kuwait (1993)
- Liberation of Kuwait Medal, Second Class, Kuwait (1993)
- Liberation of Kuwait Medal, Saudi Armed Forces (1993)
- Chancellor's Medal by Syracuse University (2012)
- CEO KSA Award for Tourism & Hospitality (2012)
- Leadership Award from the Arab Hotel Investment Conference (2014)
- King Leopold Medal from Belgium (2014)
- Middle East Municipalities Award in Cultural & Heritage Preservation (2014)
- Creativity Award from the Souq Okaz Higher Committee (2015)
- Arabic Leadership Award in the Care of Disabled (2015)
- UNWTO Award for contributions to tourism in the Middle East (2017)
- First Class of the National Order of Merit, Tunisia (2017)
See also
In Spanish: Sultán bin Salmán para niños
