HELSINKI — Egypt and China signed a series of space agreements Wednesday including cooperation on the China-led International Lunar Research Station.
Zhang Kejian, China National Space Administration (CNSA) administrator, and Sherif Sedky, Chief Operating Officer of the Egyptian Space Agency (EGSA), signed a cooperation agreement between the CNSA and the EGSA on the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) in Beijing, Dec. 6.
The pair also inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between their respective governments on cooperation and peaceful use of outer space, according to a CNSA statement.
Areas of cooperation include joint research in lunar and deep space exploration, the development and launch of spacecraft, space infrastructure, satellite data reception and applications, the BRICS Remote Sensing Satellite Constellation, space science and astronomical observation.
The development follows increasingly close space cooperation between the two countries. China began establishing a satellite assembly, integration and test center for Egypt in Cairo in 2019. The AIT center opened in June this year.
China also launched the Misrsat-2 remote sensing satellite for Egypt just days ago. China funded the satellite, which completed its assembly and testing at the new AIT center.
Egypt is the first Arab country to join ILRS and the second on the African continent to sign up. South Africa joined in September. It appears to be part of a wider strategy of Chinese space engagement.
“Egypt is significant for China as it sees it as the door to the Arab world and Africa to develop space ties and prospects for its space industry,” Julienne told SpaceNews.
He also notes that 17 engineers from Nigeria, Sudan, Ghana, Uganda and Kenya attended a training session at the Cairo AIT center back in 2017.
The development also highlights a shift in China’s approach to space engagement. Ian Christensen, director of private sector…
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