An Ariane 5 rocket stands ready for launch at the Guiana Space Center near Kourou, French Guiana, ahead of the VA250 mission to launch the TIBA 1 and Inmarsat GX5 communications satellites into orbit. (Image credit: Arianespace)

CAIRO – 27 November 2019: Egypt has successfully launched on Tuesday telecommunications satellite, Tiba- 1, to space after postponing the launching twice due to technical procedures.



Tiba-1 s expected to provide and boost internet and telecommunication services across Egypt.



Launching Tiba 1 will also contribute to developing health, education, and energy fields, not to mention improving services in government sectors across Egypt.



It is named after Thebes or Tiba in Arabic, an ancient Egyptian capital the ruins of which lie within the modern southern city of Luxor.



The 5.6-tonne satellite made by Airbus and Thales Alenia Space (TAS) will remain in orbit for at least 15 years to provide “every inch” of Egypt with call and internet services, state officials said.



The Egyptian Space Agency will run the satellite from a control center in Cairo.



Egyptian communications minister Amr Talaat said in a statement the satellite “represents a significant qualitative leap in the field of communications and information technology (ICT)”.



Tiba-1’s coverage area includes some neighboring Arab and African countries and Egypt may sell them satellite services in the future.

