Egyptian Space Agency unveils ambitious satellite projects, international partnerships
Among the key projects discussed were the development of a satellite to measure plasma characteristics in the ionosphere and the African Development Satellite project. The latter, part of an Egyptian initiative, involves developing a nanosatellite to monitor climate change impacts in collaboration with several African countries. A partnership with Bahrain to develop a hyperspectral imaging camera for China's Chang'e 7 lunar mission was also highlighted.
Egypt will host the New Space Africa 2025 conference in partnership with the African Space Agency, solidifying its leading role in the African space sector. The conference aims to boost continental cooperation in space and promote joint policies and strategies. EgSA's training programmes for African specialists, with 71 engineers from 34 countries trained since 2021, further demonstrate this commitment.
Prime Minister Madbouly commended EgSA's progress since his last visit, highlighting the agency's vital role in achieving national sustainable development goals through space technology. He emphasised the importance of utilising the agency's applications going forward. Egyptian Space Agency CEO Sherif Sedky provided a comprehensive report on recent achievements, including successful missions like EgyptSat 2 and NexSat 1.
The board addressed international collaborations, including agreements with the Greek and Kenyan space agencies, as well as academic partnerships and collaborations with international companies for technology transfer. A key initiative is the development of an Egyptian microsatellite platform to boost local manufacturing capabilities by 2026.
The meeting concluded with a review of EgSA's pursuit of ISO AS9100 quality certification and the approval of its 2025/2026 budget. These efforts underscore Egypt's dedication to establishing itself as a regional hub for space science and technology innovation. The meeting was attended by Minister of Communications and Information Technology Amr Talaat, Egyptian Space Agency CEO Sherif Sedky, Academy of Scientific Research President Gina El-Feky, and representatives of various ministries and agencies. It followed a tour of the EgSA facilities by the prime minister.
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