Egypt puts into orbit first domestically made EgyptSat-2 satellite

Egyptian Space Agency (EgSA) launched Monday December 4 from China, EgyptSat-2, the country’s domestically-made satellite, to serve the North African country’s sustainable development goals by utilizing space technology to enhance vital areas, including agriculture and exploration of mineral resources.

“This accomplishment is part of the agreement for technical and economic cooperation between the two sides,” said the EgSA, adding that a team of Egyptian engineers from the agency collaborated with a team of Chinese experts in every stage of the satellite’s design and manufacturing.

Also known as MisrSat-2, the satellite was built using China’s $92 million grant in February 2022. With Chinese cooperation, it was assembled and tested at EgSA’s Satellite Assembly, Integration, and Testing Centre (AITC), the agency notes.

Into orbit, MisrSat-2 will help in identification of surface water sources, and studying the impacts of climate change on the environment.

EgSA also argues that MisrSat-2 supports the Egyptian economy and reinforces Egypt’s leading role by providing targeted training programs for specialized personnel in Africa and the Middle East, along with supplying them with spatial data.

The North African country boasts several satellites already in orbit. They include NileSat 101 launched in 1998, EgyptSat 1 launched in 2007 and Horus 1 satellite launched in February this year.