Egypt launches Nilesat 301 satellite successfully into orbit

The Egyptian multi-purpose successfully launched satellite Nilesat 301 from Cape Canaveral in Florida on Wednesday at 11.04pm Cairo time on board of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. Nilesat 301 weighed around four metric tonnes, was launched from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40).

The satellite made by Thales Alenia Space via a joint venture between Thales owned 67 percent and Leonardo owned 33 percent. The Egyptian Nilesat has finished the required tests. Also, tests include the in-orbit acceptance tests.

A lifespan of Nilesat 301 around 15 years as minimum. It replaces Nilesat 201 and will expire in 2028. It offers enlarged broadband internet services all over Egypt. It also includes remote areas, new projects, infrastructure projects, and new urban communities. In addition to include gas and oil fields in the eastern Mediterranean, Nilesat CEO Ahmed Anis said.

Thales website said that the satellite will boost Nilesat commercial leadership in broadcast services MENA region and opening new services in southern Africa and Nile Basin.

“Nilesat 301 is able to manoeuvre antennas to adjust coverage areas in accordance with the needs of African countries, which are considered new markets for Nilesat,” Anis highlighted.

Nilesat 301 includes 38 transponders in comparison to 26 transponders in the current Nilesat 201.

furthermore, it will be able, in parallel with the Egyptian satellite Tiba 1 launched in November 2019, to offer and assure the continuation and stability of the satellite internet service. Nilesat 301’s advanced technology allow it to determine interference sources alone and handle satellite jamming.

Anis concluded that Nilesat 301 took around two and a half years to be made.