Egypt takes steps to advance its space program

The Egyptian Space Agency (EgSA) board meeting, chaired by Dr Khaled Abdel-Ghaffar, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, reassured that the country is committed to expanding its space program.

Ghaffar emphasized Egypt’s interest in space and satellite technology in achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs). He reaffirmed the agency’s role in serving the field of space science, localizing the bio-industry, and fostering generations of technological progress. He also emphasized the importance of developing human and scientific capabilities for the space industry by incorporating space technology into Egyptian universities and increasing student awareness and interest in space technology and research.

The board also discussed university education capacity-building projects to spread science and space technology to university students.

Ghaffar also discussed the need for measures to monitor whatever the agency’s national space program is doing in the hub, as well as programs approved by a committee.

The board emphasized the importance of coordination between EgSA and the Ministries of Finance and Planning and Economic Development in order to complete operations in Space City within three years. Space city is an ambitious Egyptian project that is being built on 123 acres by the Central Ring Road in Cairo and will house around 23 buildings dedicated to research and development in the field of space and technology. Ghaffar also advocated for a plan to improve the skills of specialists, researchers, and staff.