A series of Egyptian “Next” satellites will be launched starting in December of this year, this according to the executive director of the Egyptian Space Agency, Mohammed El-Qousi, who told the Middle East News Agency that the first satellite would weigh 65 kilograms for remote sensing and scientific research and was developed in cooperation with Germany.
In parallel with Next, a group of smallsats will be launched in March of 2022 to monitor climate changes, especially the carbon dioxide levels and gases in the atmosphere, he noted.
In September of 2022, EgyptSat 2, weighing 330 kilograms, will be launched and will be used in sensor application with a photographic accuracy of two meters. EgyptSat 2 has been designed in cooperation with China per an agreement that includes a grant worth $45 million, according to Qousi.
A satellite assembly and testing center will be inaugurated in September 2022 in the International Space City to be the first center of its kind in the Arab world. This center is planned to also produce Egyptian satellites built in the nation for purposes related to development in Egypt and Africa, as well as scientific research.
Kousy also said that Egypt will also host the African Space Agency after the African Union’s approval. There is a plan in cooperation with Kenya, Uganda, Ghana, Sudan, and Nigeria to launch a joint satellite dubbed the African development satellite. The headquarters of the African Space Agency is now being established in the International Space City at a $10-million budget.
Article sources: Arab News / Egypt Today
