Egypt’s publicly-traded satellite operator Nilesat has signed a launch contract with SpaceX for the in-orbit delivery of Nilesat-301 geostationary communications satellite due in 2022. The deal was sealed between Nilesat and SpaceX in Cairo on Tuesday, the first cooperation between the two companies, reports MENA-based online news media SatelliteProMe. Last year, Nilesat awarded French aerospace giant Thales Alenia Space the contract to manufacture the new communications satellite named NileSat 301. The first, NileSat 101, was launched into space in 1998, followed by NileSat 102 which was launched two years later. NileSat’s third satellite, NileSat 201, was built by Thales Alenia Space.

Source: The North Africa Journal January 22, 2020 10:18 UTC