By Ali Abu Dashish and Salma Yassin
CAIRO, Feb 16 (SEE)- The Advisor to Russian Space Agency Hussein Al-Shafei declared that the New Egyptian satellite “Egypt Sat A” will be launched on the evening of February 21st from Baikonur Spaceport.
This largest spaceport worldwide located in the south of Kazakhstan and managed by Russia till 2050, according to an agreement signed between the two countries.
Al-Shafei added that the launching process will take place in the presence of a high-level Egyptian delegation headed by Dr. Mahmoud Hussein, head of the Egyptian National Authority for Remote Sensing and Space Sciences.
The Egyptian delegation includes Dr. Ali Sadeq, head of the former Egyptian space program and Dr. Mohamed Al-Qoussi, head of satellite department in the National Authority for Remote Sensing and Space Sciences.
“Also a Russian delegation from Russian space agency “Ross Cosmos” and the leading rocket-space enterprise "Energya" will witness the launching process,” he clarified.
Al-Shafei stressed the official launching will be live-broadcasted via Kazakhstan TV and channel of "Energya"; the leading rocket-space enterprise in Russia.
Energya enterprise was the main manufacturer of the new satellite with the participation of senior Egyptian researchers and engineers.
The Egyptian-Russian partnership to manufacture “Egypt Sat A” took place after the former satellite, that was launched on April 16th 2014, lost in February the year after.
Regarding the new satellite’s usages, Al-Shafei demonstrated that it helps in urban planning besides monitoring desertification phenomenon and trespassing on state land.
“Furthermore, it helps in Following up crop growth as well as identifying tracks of seas and rivers,” stressed by him.
Al-Shafei expected Egypt will provide space-based services of the new satellite to all African countries.
On his part, Dr. Mahmoud Hussein said Egypt is planning to launch other satellites this year after law of establishing the Egyptian Space Agency has been approved.
He added that, Egyptian government is willing to cooperate with different countries including Russia, China, Japan, France and others in space field.
It’s worth mentioning that “Egypt Sat A” was completely manufactured and tested by end of January then it was transferred by a private plane from Russia to Baikonur.
In Baikonur, an Egyptian team witnessed the final tests before it’s ready to be launched.
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