Egypt Launches First Communication Satellite

Varieties

November 27th, 1:40pm

Asharq Al-Awsat

FILE PHOTO: India's Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV-F08) carrying GSAT-6A communication satellite blasts off from the Satish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota, India, March 29, 2018. REUTERS/P. Ravikumar/File photo

Egypt has launched its first communication satellite into orbit, the Cabinet said late on Tuesday. Government officials said the step will improve communications infrastructure, internet services and attract investment. Tiba-1 was due to launch last Friday but was delayed for technical reasons, the Cabinet said, Reuters reported. It did not give more details. The 5.6-tonne satellite was launched on one of Europe’s Arianespace rockets from a space center in French Guiana. Made by Airbus and Thales Alenia Space (TAS), it will remain in orbit for at least 15 years to provide “every inch” of Egypt with call and internet services, according to state officials.

from Asharq AL-awsat https://aawsat.com/english/home/article/2010826/egypt-launches-first-communication-satellite