Sherif Sedky, who serves as the CEO of Egypt’s Space Agency (EgSA), held a meeting with Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly on Sunday, August 18 in order to assess the progress and future objectives of the agency.
The EgSA is looking to commercialize the satellite imagery collected by the NEx-SAT 1 micro-satellite, which has gathered over 1,400 images, by selling it online and to other businesses.
To achieve this, the agency is planning to establish a marketing firm and collaborate with local and international companies to promote the satellite images. In addition to these initiatives, the EgSA aims to increase the sales of its educational satellite models from EGP 5.8 million to EGP 15 million (approximately USD 120,000 to USD 300,000) and continue developing satellites and training programs.
Established in January 2018, the EgSA is a crucial part of Egypt’s National Sustainable Development Strategy 2030. Former Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Khaled Abdel-Ghaffar, suggested that the projects undertaken by the agency could contribute up to 10 percent of Egypt’s national income.
As a publicly owned entity, the EgSA is funded by the state, its profits, and loans. The EgSA is headquartered in “Space City,” a 5,000 square meter complex located between the 5th Settlement and the New Administrative Capital, which is designed to serve as a central hub for space technology in the Middle East and Africa.
Still under construction, Space City accommodates a research center, a satellite assembly center, and the African Space Agency, which was selected to be hosted by Egypt in February 2019.
Additionally, Egypt took on the responsibility of leading the Arab Group for Space and Cooperation in November 2023. The EgSA’s focus is on enhancing human capital, sustainability and development efforts, and technological localization, with the aim of establishing Egypt as a significant player in international space technology.
To enhance the employability of engineers, the EgSA offers three online certifications, which can cost anywhere from USD 315 to USD 655 for individuals, with discounts of up to 40 percent for universities and larger student groups. The agency also provides scholarships for undergraduate and postgraduate students.
Satellite images play a vital role in urban and environmental planning. The EgyptSat-2, which was launched in December 2023, provides updates on national development projects, monitors the Suez Canal, and identifies promising agricultural areas, while also monitoring desertification and land degradation.
Satellite technology often involves partnerships with other countries and foreign companies. For instance, the NEx-SAT 1 was developed in collaboration with Berlin Space Technologies, and the CLIMCLAM project, which focuses on creating a remote sensing camera, involves engineers from Kenya and Uganda.
According to Egyptian Streets The EgSA is also working to increase the localization of satellite technology, addressing Egypt’s dependence on imports and currency devaluation. Sedky claims that the EgSA can manufacture 35 percent of Egypt’s micro-satellite systems and 60 percent of Egypt’s nano-satellite systems.
The upcoming satellite projects for the EgSA in 2024 include the AfdevSat and the SPNEX. Both satellites will be involved in monitoring environmental changes.
