On the 17th of April 2007, history was made for Egyptians in terms of science and technology. This date marked the beginning for Egypt’s exploration and contribution to space science. On this date, the National Authority for Remote Sensing and Space Sciences (NARSS) released the EgyptSat 1, an Earth satellite (El-Dessouki). More specifically, EgyptSat 1 is Egypt’s first Earth satellite. Not to confuse with NileSat, which were released before EgyptSat 1. NileSat was actually bought for non-scientific purposes. Therefore, EgyptSat 1 is the first Earth satellite for scientific research. NARSS is a joint American-Egyptian institution for remote sensing satellites (El-Dessouki). EgyptSat 1 began its development in 2001 by Egyptian scientists from NARSS and from a team of Ukrainian scientists (El-Dessouki). One of the many significances of the EgyptSat 1 was that it was solely built and funded by Egypt. More so, NARSS had set goals for EgyptSat 1 during it’s mission that would help with the development of the country.
EgyptSat 1’s mission was to help with the development of touristic, agricultural and industrial lands in Egypt. By providing detailed images taken from the satellite scientists have made decisions for development simpler for the Egyptian government (El-Dessouki). EgyptSat 1’s mission was set to take five years however, as fate would have it, there was a setback.
From 2007 to mid-2010, EgyptSat 1 was functioning properly and providing information to NARSS. However, in July 2010, NARSS faced a problem. They had lost contact and control with the satellite. Even with the help of Ukrainian scientists, they could not track down the satellite (El-Dessouki). It was not until October 23, 2010 that NARSS released to the public that they had lost the satellite. Major newspapers and journalists criticized NARSS and the loss of EgyptSat 1. Nonetheless, one has to take note that Egypt is not the only country that has lost communications with satellites since these satellites are operating in harsh environments. The good news is that there’s still hope!
Despite the loss of EgyptSat 1, which has now been lost for three years and ended its mission, NARSS is still continuing it’s development of satellites. NARSS aims to use space technology to aid developmental plans, and to develop space technology in Egypt. It seems that NARSS is well on it’s way to doing so since it has two upcoming satellite launches in it’s pockets. Supposedly in 2014, EgyptSat 2 will be launched (El-Dessouki). EgyptSat 2 is the new and improved EgyptSat 1. It began its development well after the launch of it predecessor and was expected to be launched in 2013 however after the loss of EgyptSat 1, NARSS put a hold on the satellite and returned to developing it to ensure that EgyptSat 2 does not repeat the same fate that EgyptSat 1 had (El-Dessouki).
NARSS is also expected to release another satellite in 2017 but this time this satellite’s purpose is for desert resources. DesertSat began it’s development in 2012 with most of the manufacturing done by Egyptian scientists (El-Dessouki). It will use radar technology and will provide NARSS with information and images of the desert. Other than that, it’s also expected to monitor desert resources as well (El-Dessouki).
Clearly, NARSS has shown the world that it will continue on even after the loss of its first satellite. NARSS has proved to the public that despite this setback, they will improve and this is shown with EgyptSat 2’s enriched technology and more so with DesertSat’s innovated use of radar technology. Keep a look out for EgyptSat 2’s launch in April 2014 because you will be witnessing history in the making!
What Happened to EgyptSat 1?
by Yossra Hamza
Credit to NARSS for the picture.
El-Dessouki, Ayman. "Effectiveness of Technology Transfer Programs in High Tech Projects - The Egyptian Space Program." National Authority for Remote Sensing and Space Sciences N.a (2011): NARSS. Web. 7 Dec. 2013.