Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Asharq Al-Awsat
Asharq Al-Awsat
Lifestyle
Asharq Al-Awsat

Egypt Launches First Communication Satellite

FILE PHOTO: India's Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV-F08) carrying GSAT-6A communication satellite blasts off from the Satish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota, India, March 29, 2018. REUTERS/P. Ravikumar/File photo

Egypt has launched its first communication satellite into orbit, the Cabinet said late on Tuesday.

Government officials said the step will improve communications infrastructure, internet services and attract investment.

Tiba-1 was due to launch last Friday but was delayed for technical reasons, the Cabinet said, Reuters reported.

It did not give more details.

The 5.6-tonne satellite was launched on one of Europe’s Arianespace rockets from a space center in French Guiana.

Made by Airbus and Thales Alenia Space (TAS), it will remain in orbit for at least 15 years to provide “every inch” of Egypt with call and internet services, according to state officials.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.