Egypt works with 5 fellow African states to build satellite tracking climate change

CAIRO – 26 July 2021: CEO of the Egyptian Space Agency Mohamed al-Qousy stated Monday that Egypt is collaborating with five fellow African states to launch a satellite that contributes in tracking climate change, and hence, mitigating its impact.

The official noted that the selection of Ghana, Sudan, Kenya, Nigeria, and Uganda is rooted in the fact that they made a significant progress in space work.

Qousy added that the heads of the space agencies of those countries have been to Egypt to set up the technical work plan, and that the project is dubbed the "African Development Satellite."  

The project was first announced in 2019, and now planning is underway to designate a timetable, the work to be implemented by each country, and sources of funding.

The official pointed out that engineers and students taking part in the project had built a picosatellite as training so they would be ready to implement the plan. That type is an artificial satellite that usually weighs between 100 grams and one kilograms.

Egypt had launched the Egyptian Educational Satellite Program aimed at training engineering students at public and private universities on space technology.