Egypt to launch new satellite from Florida on board of SpaceX's Falcon 9

CAIRO – 8 June 2022: Egypt will launch Wednesday from Florida a new satellite dubbed “Nilesat 301” on the SpaceX rocket “Falcon 9.”

Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Khaled Abdel Ghaffar announced last year that Egypt would launch two satellites in 2022.

The last satellite launched by Egypt was Tiba-1, and it was sent to outer space from France in November 2019.

Given the simmering region Egypt lies in and the threat of terrorists' infirtlation through borders, Head of the Egyptian Space Agency Mohamed al-Qosy told Egypt Today in 2020 the significance of Tiba-1 satellite on that front.

Qosy explained that small stations are installed on borders. The stations are connected with cameras, radars, and sensors that are in turn connected to the satellite.

The satellite sends the images to the entities in charge of border security. It's worthy to mention that the lengths of western and southern borders with Libya and Sudan are 1,100 kilometers and 1,200 kilometers, respectively.

The satellite lies 37 kilometers above earth level, and is controlled from Egypt. Qosy said that the satellite performs audio call services, and will later provide internet services.  

The 5.6-tonne satellite made by Airbus and Thales Alenia Space (TAS) will remain in orbit for at least 15 years to provide “every inch” of Egypt with call and internet services, state officials said.
 

The Egyptian Space Agency runs the satellite from a control center in Cairo.
 

Egyptian Telecommunications and Information Technology Minister Amr Talaat said in a statement the satellite “represents a significant qualitative leap in the field of communications and information technology (ICT)”.
 

Tiba-1’s coverage area includes some neighboring Arab and African countries and Egypt may sell them satellite services in the future.