Egypt will launch its first communication satellite into orbit today (22 November) to improve its communications infrastructure and internet services, and attract investment. Reuters reports that the ‘Tiba-1’ satellite – named after the ancient Egyptian capital of Thebes – is scheduled to launch on one of Europe’s Arianespace rockets from a space centre in French Guiana. With the 5.6-tonne satellite made by Airbus and Thales Alenia Space (TAS) to remain in orbit for at least 15 years, Tiba-1’s coverage area is understood to include some neighbouring Arab and African countries, and it has been suggested that Egypt may look to sell them satellite services in the future.

Commenting on the development, Mohamed Elkoosy, executive director of the Egyptian Space Agency, was cited as saying: ‘The satellite will provide Egypt with a parallel communications network alongside the current land network and a strong telecommunications infrastructure.’ Egyptian communications minister Amr Talaat meanwhile said in a statement that the satellite ‘represents a significant qualitative leap in the field of communications and information technology’.

Source: TeleGeography