The Egyptian Space Agency (EgSA) has announced plans to launch the NExSat-1 satellite from China before the end of this year as part of the Egyptian government's strategic initiatives to develop satellite technology.
After completing and passing all satellite launch-related tests in Germany, Sherif Sedky, CEO of EgSA, states that the space agency's ultimate goal is to develop a satellite constellation that will strengthen and position Egypt as a leading African state in space science and technology.
According to a statement by the agency, the plan also "serves the goals of the African Development Agenda 2063, and activates the role of the Egyptian Space Agency as an economic body, by providing specialized services in the field of satellite design, assembly, integration, and testing, as well as high-resolution imaging services."
In addition to NExSat-1, EgSA is planning to launch MisrSat-2 in October. MisrSatt-2's launch will be a watershed moment in Egypt's space programme. The remote sensing satellite was put through its paces at the agency's assembly and integration center in the New Administrative Capital. Electrical tests, dynamic loading simulation of the satellite's space model, electromagnetic harmony test, space environment simulation, and communication tests were among them.
Made in Afrika, Satellites
The year 2023 marks the 24th anniversary of the South African National Space Agency's launch of SunSat-1, the first African satellite to orbit in 1999.
SunSat-1 was launched on an American Delta II rocket from the then-Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, now called Space Force Base. SunSat-1 was developed and researched by engineers and technicians at Stellenbosch University as part of a long-secret State satellite initiative.
This satellite's successes and experiences paved the door for further South African satellites, such as the microsatellite SumbandilaSat, CubeSats ZACube-1 and ZACube-2, and other globally exported satellites and components leveraging South African engineering genius.
To date,15 countries across the continent have launched 53 satellites