On Wednesday, the US Embassy in Cairo celebrated the conclusion of its activities at the 2025 New Space Africa Conference, marking a week of collaboration on space exploration.
The Embassy hosted a press conference featuring representatives from leading space technology firms, who reflected on their participation in the conference and explored opportunities for future cooperation with the Egyptian government.
Minister Counselor for Public Diplomacy Ruben Harutunian opened the conference, stating, “It's an honor to welcome you to this press conference, which demonstrates the United States’ commitment to partnering with Egypt and African nations in exploring space and leveraging technology to reach new frontiers.”
He emphasized the significance of the week’s events, including the launch of the African Space Agency in Cairo, noting that it provided a platform to showcase US engagement in both government and private sector initiatives.
US Ambassador to Egypt Herro Mustafa Garg highlighted the contributions of American companies to the space sector, saying, “American companies are pioneering state-of-the-art technologies that benefit society by keeping us connected. As space entrepreneur Jeff Bezos recently said, it is this generation’s job to build a road to space so that future generations can unleash their creativity.”
She underlined the importance of public-private partnerships in driving innovation, creating economic opportunities, and fostering prosperity for future generations.
Juan Caro, Deputy Assistant Secretary for International and Space Affairs at NOAA, praised the technological capabilities of the U.S. and its global partnerships, describing them as beneficial to the entire world.
Speaking on satellite technology and national security, Dr. Rao Ramayanam, International, HawkEye 360, explained that analyzing radio signals from space can aid in identifying illegal activities, as well as improving forecasting in areas like agriculture and weather.
He also touched on the integration of artificial intelligence in satellite systems, which can help monitor illegal fishing and pollution. “These technologies help African nations track illicit activities linked to violence,” he added.
On his side, Michael Paluzsek, President of Princeton Satellite Systems, highlighted the efforts to expand opportunities for Egyptian students and professionals, especially women, in STEM fields.
"We’re collaborating on a variety of cutting-edge technologies—from large launch vehicles and nuclear fusion propulsion to AI systems for space operations. Egypt is already active in some of these areas, and we want to work closely with Egyptian engineers and scientists,” he said.
He also pointed out that there is an Egyptian researcher in the firm, Laila Mohsen.
“I’ve worked on a wide range of projects, from machine learning for power electronics to electromagnetic launches. I really appreciated the level of supervision and mentorship. I’m currently back for a temporary position, but I want to return full-time to learn more and bring that knowledge back to Egypt. I want to help build a stronger space sector at home,” Mohsen told SEE News.
Regarding the future of such advanced technologies in Egypt, Abdikadir Awabdi, Astranis, emphasized Egypt’s unique geographic position, which is ideal for telecommunications and satellite services. “We are aiming to build operational infrastructure in less than two years—a process that usually takes much longer. Egypt is a gateway for our future space operations,” he noted.
He expressed the desire to see more Egyptian women represented in the space sector and highlighted the importance of local talent in driving innovation.
Ramayanam reiterated their commitment to training and capacity-building in partner countries. “Only a few people get to go to space, but many can benefit from the data collected. We’re focused on helping governments make the most of this data through training and technology transfers,” he explained.
Paluzsek added that one initiative underway is the potential distribution of educational software for spacecraft design in Egypt. “We’re negotiating with a local company to become our official distributor. This software will help students and professionals gain hands-on experience with spacecraft systems,” he said.
He also noted the role of compact nuclear fusion in supporting food security. “A small fusion reaction can produce about half a megawatt of power—ideal for agricultural zones lacking electricity. This could significantly boost agricultural productivity.”
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