Middle East Space Roundup: 25 June to 1 July 2023
A summary of all the space news in the Greater Middle East over the past week, powered by AzurX
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The following are the major space developments in the Greater Middle East region tracked by Middle East Space Monitor over the past week:
Egypt Receives MisrSat-2 Satellite Models From China At AIT Centre
Egypt has announced the launch of its MisrSat-2 Earth observation satellite from China in October 2023, with a total cost of $74 million. The satellite's mission is to capture images of Egyptian soil for environmental preservation and remote sensing purposes. The satellite, with a mass of 350 kg, was completed in cooperation with China, with the funding provided as a grant from Beijing. The Egyptian Space Agency organised an event to receive the satellite model from China at its state-of-the-art satellite assembly, integration, and test (AIT) centre where MisrSat-2 will be assembled, integrated and tested before being shipped back to China for launch. MisrSat 2 is a joint project between the Egyptian Space Agency and its Chinese counterpart. It will have a high-resolution imaging capability of two-metres resolution and a lifespan of five years in space. The project is part of China's Belt and Road Initiative and is the first Chinese space project involving the transfer of technology and know-how to another country, reflecting China's broader economic and diplomatic interests in the Middle East and North Africa.
UAE’s MBRSC Signs Collaboration Agreement With Dubai’s Museum Of The Future
UAE astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi announced from the International Space Station a strategic partnership between Dubai’s Museum of the Future and the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) to solidify the UAE's position as a global leader in space exploration and future design. The collaboration aims to showcase the achievements of the MBRSC and the UAE in the space sector through a range of events and activities at the Museum of the Future. The partnership will highlight ambitious projects, such as astronaut training for the next generation, and promote innovation, ambition, and pioneering in line with the vision of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The agreement was signed during the museum's inaugural partners' gala, attended by government officials and representatives from major companies. The partnership seeks to make space science more accessible, inspire young people, and integrate space science into everyday conversations and learning.
After Flirting With Chinese Satellite Makers, Saudi Arabia’s Scopa Industries Seeks Return To Western Business
Scopa Industries, the defence branch of Saudi conglomerate Ajlan & Bros., is seeking to regain entry into the U.S. defence market by signing a non-binding agreement with European group Airbus, according to Intelligence Online. The memorandum of understanding (MoU) allows for the potential construction of an Airbus civil and military helicopter production plant in Saudi Arabia, while also restoring Scopa Industries' credibility in Washington. In previous attempts to forge partnerships with Russian and Chinese defence industries, Scopa ran afoul of U.S. authorities, resulting in the departure of its American advisors. Scopa’s dalliance with China also included attempts to market Chinese military satellite capabilities to the Saudi Ministry of Defence. To demonstrate their commitment to compliance and repair relations, Scopa has enlisted the services of U.S. consultant Jack Midgley to ensure adherence to U.S. industrial export regulations. The partnership with Airbus serves as a strategic move to showcase Scopa's readiness to make amends and re-enter the U.S. defence market.
Egypt, Other African Countries, To Sign Space Cooperation Agreements With Russia
Russia's state space corporation, Roscosmos, has announced its plans to sign a cooperation agreement with African countries during the upcoming Russian-Africa economic and humanitarian forum in St. Petersburg. A delegation from Roscosmos, led by Director General Yury Borisov, recently visited Egypt and held talks with the executive head of the Egyptian Space Agency, Sherif Sedky, to discuss collaboration in outer space activities, including satellite production and launch, human spaceflight missions, and surface space infrastructure development. Borisov highlighted the potential for development in the partnership between Russia and Egypt, and preparations are underway to draft a comprehensive agreement covering various areas of cooperation in the space sector. The Russia-Africa economic and humanitarian forum is scheduled to take place on 27-28 July 2023 in St. Petersburg.
Algeria And Russia Sign Comprehensive Space Cooperation Agreement
During President Abdelmadjid Tebboune's recent state visit to Russia, the governments of Algeria and Russia signed a Government Agreement for cooperation in space exploration and the use of outer space for peaceful purposes. The agreement covers various aspects of space activities, including intellectual property protection, information exchange, export control, technology protection, and joint endeavours. The cooperation between Algeria and Russia in space extends to areas such as space sciences, technologies, and applications; space communications; satellite navigation; space geodesy and weather; training and knowledge transfer; and the international legal regulation of space activities. L’Agence Spatiale Algérienne’s (ASAL - the Algerian Space Agency) Director General, Azzedine Oussedik, highlighted the significance of the visit in strengthening space cooperation between Algeria and Russia and expressed the potential for expanding cooperation to other BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) and BRICS+ countries. Algeria has already signed other space agreements with certain BRICS countries, including Russia, India, China, and South Africa, and aims to leverage the expertise of advanced countries like Russia, China, and India to enhance its own space capabilities.
Airbus Secures Egypt Reconnaissance Satellite Deal, Thales Alenia Deal Still Uncertain
In 2020, the Egyptian Ministry of Military Production (MoMP) initiated talks with Thales Alenia Space, the Franco-Italian satellite manufacturer, for the procurement of a military reconnaissance synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite. However, the discussions hit a roadblock in January 2023 due to disagreements regarding the building and delivery timeline, as well as changes to downlink/uplink communications processing. Thales Alenia Space offered a less advanced version of the downlink/uplink processing due to rising computer chip prices, which Egypt did not accept. In the meantime, Airbus Defence and Space entered into talks with Egypt and managed to secure a satellite contract by offering the desired specifications, including advanced downlink/uplink processing, at a reduced price and shorter delivery timeframe. The satellite is expected to be built and delivered within four years. The status of talks with Thales Alenia is currently uncertain, but an agreement could potentially be reached by the end of 2023 if progress continues.
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UAE’s PHI-Demo CubeSat Successfully Launched By Russia, In Spite Of Sanctions
A UAE satellite, PHI-Demo CubeSat, was successfully launched into space aboard a Russian Soyuz rocket from the Vostochny Cosmodrome in Russia. This launch marks the first mission under the Payload Hosting Initiative, a collaboration between the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) and the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC). The satellite, weighing 20kg, carries technology from UK company SteamJet Space Systems and Luxembourgish company OQ Technology, which will provide greener propulsion and IoT communication capabilities, respectively. The launch demonstrates a notable collaboration between the UAE and Russia in the space sector, particularly given the restrictions imposed by Western sanctions on exporting space technology to Russia after the conflict in Ukraine began in February 2022. The partnership aims to broaden access to space and facilitate the testing of small satellites in orbit for the first time.
French Space Industry Courts Saudi Space Agency for Lucrative Earth Observation Satellite Constellation Deal
Saudi Arabia is exploring the possibility of forming a cooperation programme with French actors in the field of space, specifically in its search for an optical Earth observation satellite constellation. Intelligence Online reports that the Saudi French Business Council (CAFS) hosted a gala dinner in Paris, where representatives from the Saudi Space Agency (SSA) and senior executives of France's defence industry discussed potential collaboration. The SSA, under the leadership of Minister of Communications and Information Technologies Abdullah Al Swaha, is seeking French expertise to help achieve Saudi Arabia's space goals, particularly in its optical Earth observation satellite programme aimed at enhancing intelligence capabilities. Companies like Prométhée, Loft Orbital, Sodern, Airbus Group, and Thales, along with Saudi defence groups like GAMI and SAMI, were present at the event, exploring opportunities for cooperation in the space and defence sectors. The discussions demonstrate Saudi Arabia's efforts to strengthen its space capabilities and foster international partnerships in pursuit of its strategic objectives.
France Seeks Openings in Oman for Defence and Space Contracts Through Global Diwan
As defence and foreign policy discussions between France and Oman intensify, French businesses in Oman see an opportunity to leverage their connections with the Sultan's close entourage, according to Intelligence Online. Global Diwan, a business club established in 2020 by Maurice Gourdault-Montagne and Eric Schell, is appointing Omani Princess Mona bint Fahd bin Mahmoud Al Said as its chair. Princess Mona, who holds the position of vice chancellor for international relations at Sultan Qaboos University, is the daughter of Fahd bin Mahmoud Al Said, a highly respected figure within the Omani political sphere. Fahd bin Mahmoud, a sayyid and cousin of Sultan Haitham bin Tarik Al Said, has played a crucial role in Oman's foreign affairs, including representing the Sultan in diplomatic initiatives. His strong ties to France, through personal connections such as his marriage to a French woman and ownership of a French property, have made him an influential contact for the French. His son, Kamil bin Fahad Al Said, has also followed in his father's footsteps and occupies key positions in Omani circles of power, including the Space Communication Technologies Company that is developing the Sultanate’s first communications satellite. With the recent French-Omani military agreement and the growing diplomatic dialogue between the two countries, Global Diwan hopes to capitalise on this bilateral opening by establishing connections with influential individuals in Oman.
Israel’s Ramon Space Raises $26 Million From Israeli, UAE, And Taiwanese Investors
Israel’s Ramon.Space, the company specialising in space computing technology, has raised $26 million in funding from investors including Ingrasys (a subsidiary of Foxconn Technology Group), the Abu Dhabi-based Strategic Development Fund, and existing investors Grove Ventures, Deep Insight, and UMC Capital. The investment will enable Ramon.Space to expand the production of computing technology specifically designed for the extreme conditions of spaceflight, including temperature variations, radiation, data transfer delays, and size and power constraints. The partnership with Ingrasys will facilitate high-volume production of space computing products, meeting the growing demand in the space computing market. Ramon.Space aims to develop radiation-resilient computing systems that can be manufactured cost-effectively, as the future of communication and data-centric satellites will rely on software-based computing systems. The investment aligns with the Strategic Development Fund's focus on the space sector and its goal of seeking partnerships and fostering synergies within the UAE and globally.
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Türkiye’s IMECE Earth Observation Satellite Releases First Image
Türkiye's first domestically developed Earth observation satellite, IMECE, has successfully captured its first image of the Togg Technology Campus in Gemlik, Bursa. The high-resolution imaging satellite was launched into space on 15 April 2023 and is capable of capturing sub-metre resolution images from anywhere on Earth without limitations. IMECE will be utilised in various applications such as target identification and detection, natural disaster monitoring, and agriculture. It operates in a Sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of 680 kilometres and is expected to serve Türkiye for five years. The satellite's electro-optical camera, the first of its kind built in Türkiye, was developed by TÜBİTAK UZAY and integrated into IMECE. Additionally, TÜBİTAK UZAY and other institutions contributed to the design and production of various subsystems. The IMECE project is considered a significant milestone in Türkiye's space ambitions, and the knowledge gained from it will be the foundation for future satellite platforms.
Tunisia And Ghana Sign Space Partnership Agreement
The Ghana Space Science and Technology Institute (GSSTI) and the Tunisian Space Association have entered into a partnership agreement aimed at advancing the development of their respective space sectors for socioeconomic benefits in Africa. The collaboration will involve space research, development, and training, setting the stage for future joint endeavors in areas of mutual interest. Both Tunisia and Ghana will focus on astronomy and Earth observation, with an emphasis on data sharing to develop capabilities and solutions in precision agriculture, land use, air pollution, mining, forest management, and coastal area management. The collaboration will initially prioritise environmental management but has the potential to expand into other areas in the future. The partnership also offers opportunities for Ghana to contribute to Tunisia's radio astronomy capabilities and for Tunisia to benefit from Ghana's expertise in space education. The agreement is seen as a crucial step toward regional collaborations within the African space industry and aligns with the objectives of the African Space Agency. The implementation framework for the partnership will be developed based on the goals of the GSSTI and the Tunisian Space Association.
UAE Seeks To Develop Space Ties With Armenia
Dr. Nariman Al Mulla, the UAE Ambassador to Armenia, has emphasised the strong relations between the two countries and their commitment to enhancing historical cooperation for mutual benefit. Dr. Al Mulla expressed the embassy's dedication to facilitating economic and trade links, supporting the diversification of partnerships, and assisting emerging businesses in expanding their presence in sectors of common interest, including the space sector. The ambassador also emphasised the importance of the COP28 climate conference hosted by the UAE and welcomed Armenia's participation in the event.
Algeria And Egypt In Discussions With Russia On Participation In Russian Space Station
Roscosmos, Russia’s state space corporation, has extended an invitation to African countries to participate in the creation of a Russian orbital space station, according to Roscosmos CEO Yury Borisov. During a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Borisov mentioned his recent visits to Egypt and Algeria, where discussions were held regarding multi-satellite orbital constellations, launch services, and human spaceflight missions. Borisov proposed that African countries not only train their own astronauts but also engage in the construction of national modules for the Russian orbital space station. He expressed optimism about addressing these matters during the Russia-Africa summit scheduled to take place in St. Petersburg on 27-28 July 2023. President Putin acknowledged the invitation and highlighted the topic as an interesting one for discussion during the summit.
Be sure to catch up with space activities in the region in the next edition of Middle East Space Monitor’s space roundup!