Egypt: First earth observation satellite (Egyptsat-1) launched

An Egyptian satellite, Egyptsat-1, was successfully launched from the Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan last 17th April, the official news agency MENA reported. Egyptsat-1 will be devoted to scientific research and photography to support development in the fields of construction, cultivation and fighting desertification, said MENA.

The Egyptian satellite is one of the 14 foreign satellites carried in one rocket launched by the Russian Federal Space Agency in the day, which also included a satellite from Saudi Arabia. Egyptsat-1, Egypt's first satellite for scientific research, carries two remote sensing devices -- an infrared one and a multi- spectrum one, according to MENA. Before Egyptsat-1, Egypt has launched a number of satellites, including Nilesat 101 and Nilesat 102, for nonscientific purposes. These satellites are now delivering more than 150 digital TV channels as well as radio and multimedia services to North Africa and the Middle East, from Morocco to the Gulf region.