For the first time in history, three Saudis, including a reporter, will fly on a trip to the edge of space. Saeed Al-Jaber, a reporter, left Riyadh on Friday for Cape Town, South Africa, to prepare for the trip, which he will be covering for satellite network Orbit Television and Radio. “This trip is the ultimate chance for any reporter,” said Jaber. “It only comes once in a life time. I am so proud and happy to be the one who got that chance, and I'll do my best to convey the facts as I see them on the trip.” He said the whole experience will be documented and recorded in order to be broadcasted on Orbit Television and Radio through a series of reports after he comes back. There will be extensive training for the crew that will participate in the trip, which will include two other Saudis. The participants will be flying on a special aircraft that can take off vertically and accelerate all the way to the edge between the Earth's atmosphere and outer space, which is believed to be 100 kilometers high. “After the preparations of the trip with the rest of the crew, we will go to the edge of space,” said Jaber. “The Saudi media is going through one of the most challenging tests of its integrity and credibility, and I am proud to be the one who's conveying it and conquering all my fears.” Jaber said he always had a dream to leave his mark by proving the capabilities of Saudi reporters in conveying facts as they happen and go through difficulties to get to them. He said he was getting great support from his family and friends. “When I told my father, he said this experience is so unique that it eclipses getting a PhD,” he said. “He always wanted me to pursue higher education.” “As for my mother, she wished me good luck with her continuous prayers and asked me to keep the Holy Qur'an with me at all times.” Jaber had studied chemical engineering at King Saud University (KSU) in Riyadh. He joined Orbit's Riyadh office in December 2005 as a reporter. Before that, he worked in public relations for seven years, including reporting on the Kingdom for France24 TV in Arabic, Elaph.com and Al-Mustaqbal newspaper. He also did gigs as a PR consultant and statistics supervisor with the Supreme Commission of Tourism. The one-hour flight will launch from the biggest military aviation base in Cape Town, South Africa. __
