China-funded prototype satellites delivered to Egypt

A delivery ceremony for China-aided prototype satellites, the MisrSat II satellite project, was held at the satellite assembly, integration and test (AIT) center of the Egyptian Space Agency on June 25. It saw Egypt become the first African country with the capacity to assemble, integrate and test satellites.

Noting that this year marks the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), Chinese Ambassador to Egypt Liao Liqiang said the MisrSat II satellite project is another landmark outcome of the Belt and Road cooperation between China and Egypt, and has milestone significance in space cooperation between the two countries. According to him, it is the first time that China has completed a large-scale overseas test on an entire satellite and delivered a satellite cooperation project overseas. Egypt will become the first African country to have complete satellite assembly, integration and testing capabilities. 

Throughout the implementation of the project, China has provided training for Egyptian personnel, who have been deeply involved in satellite design, testing, final assembly and assessment, which will help the country develop independent measurement and control in the future. The cooperation has laid a solid foundation for Egypt's space industry and will promote the development of space technology on the African continent, according to the ambassador.

Egyptian Minister of International Cooperation Rania Al-Mashat extended her sincere appreciation to China, saying the significant progress of the project and the China-aided ATI center has greatly boosted Egypt's capacities in satellite research, development, measurement and control, making Egypt a leading African country in the aerospace field. 

Sherif Sedky, chief executive officer of the Egyptian Space Agency, said the ATI center is the first of its kind to develop homegrown satellite industry in Egypt, and it will enable Egypt to play a leading role in transferring this technology to other African countries.