Egypt launches first telecom satellite

Egypt has successfully launched its first telecommunications satellite from a space centre in French Guiana in South America this week.

The decision to launch the Tiba 1 satellite comes after intensive meetings between French company, Arianespace and a high-level Egyptian delegation at the launch base in French Guiana.

Launched by an Ariane 5 rocket, Egypt’s first telecom satellite was initially scheduled to be launched last Friday, but was postponed due to a malfunction in the power supply to the launching platform- the first of two postponements leading to Tuesday’s launch.

Tiba 1, which will be owned and operated by the government of Egypt, will cover all of Egypt and provide telecommunication and internet services to remote and isolated areas.

It will be operational within three months of the launch.