Egypt Receives China-Funded Satellites, Elevating African Space Capabilities

Two prototype satellites of the MisrSat II satellite project, funded by China, were delivered to the Egyptian Space Agency in a significant development for Egypt’s space sector. Egypt became the first African country capable of constructing, integrating, and testing satellites as a result of this delivery, marking a significant milestone in its aerospace capabilities.

During the occasion, Minister of International Cooperation Rania Al-Mashat expressed gratitude to China for its assistance and cooperation, describing the country as a “strategic partner and friend” of Egypt. She underlined that the MisrSat II satellite and satellite assembly, integration, and test (AIT) center, both supported by China, have considerably improved Egypt’s research, development, measurement, and control capabilities, establishing the country as a prominent African player in the aerospace area.

Minister Al-Mashat also stressed the significance of the advanced equipment and effective technology displayed during the ceremony, as they provide opportunities for collaboration with other African nations in the aerospace sector.

Chinese Ambassador to Egypt Liao Liqiang welcomed the MisrSat II satellite project as a watershed moment in China and Egypt’s cooperative efforts to establish the Belt and Road Initiative. Ambassador Liao emphasized that the initiative has built a firm basis for Egypt’s space sector and will boost space technology development across the African continent.

Through this endeavor, China successfully performed its first large-scale foreign test on an entire satellite and delivered a satellite cooperation project abroad, according to Ambassador Liao. He emphasized Egypt’s pioneering role as the first African country with full satellite construction, integration, and testing capabilities.

Sherif Sedky, CEO of the Egyptian Space Agency, welcomed the three-month collaboration of Egyptian and Chinese engineers and scientists. They worked together to undertake extensive tests on three MisrSat II satellite models, two prototypes and one flying model. These tests marked the opening of Africa and the Middle East’s largest satellite AIT facility, which was fully equipped thanks to a gift from China.

Sedky underlined that the construction of this institution is a ground-breaking achievement that will help to localize the satellite industry in Egypt and position Egypt as a vital contributor to exporting satellite technology to Africa.

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The MisrSat II satellite, with an imaging resolution of up to 2 meters, is intended to make substantial contributions to Egypt’s Vision 2030 for sustainable development. It will enhance the usage of national resources by providing critical data on crop types, distribution based on atmospheric and soil conditions, mineral resource exploration, urban planning, and coastal change monitoring.

Following the handover of the two prototype satellites in Cairo, an in-orbit delivery of the flight model of the MisrSat II satellite is also planned, bolstering Egypt’s standing in space technology.