First joint Egyptian–Saudi satellite (Egyptian Space Agency and Saudi Space Agency)

This is a planned satellite to be designed and built jointly by Egypt and Saudi Arabia, the first between the two countries. Very few technical details have been released. Its mission, orbit, size, mass, cost and build location have not been disclosed. Public statements say only that it should use space technology to support sustainable development and the shared priorities of both countries, and that it will be "jointly designed and developed by specialists from both countries".

Origins: in December 2023 the Saudi Space Agency (SSA) and the Egyptian Space Agency (EgSA) signed a memorandum of understanding at SSA headquarters in Riyadh. It covers peaceful space cooperation, exchange of information and technology, joint research and development, and localising space technology and industry. It was signed by SSA CEO Dr Mohammed bin Saud Al-Tamimi and then EgSA CEO Dr Sherif Sedky.

Key dates: on 23 June 2026 the Saudi Council of Ministers, in a session chaired by King Salman in Jeddah, approved the initiative to design and build the first joint Saudi–Egyptian satellite. On 8 September 2026 EgSA CEO Dr Eng. Maged Ismail and SSA deputy CEO Eng. Ahmed Al-Ghufaili met in El Alamein to discuss the implementation roadmap and the design and building of the satellite. The Egyptian side also included Eng. Amir Abdel Fattah (Director, Nabta Playa for Space Technologies), Eng. Haitham Medhat (Head of the Central Administration for Satellite Systems Design and Development) and Dr Mohamed Ibrahim (Director, Space Academy). No agreement was signed at the airshow on this project.

Background capabilities: Egypt has a satellite assembly, integration and test centre at the Egyptian Space City in New Cairo, funded by China (US$68 million). It also has recent build experience on NExSat-1 (launched 3 February 2024, developed with Germany's BST) and MisrSat-2 (launched December 2023). Neither agency has said whether Egyptian or Saudi facilities will be used for this satellite.

Setbacks: none reported. The project is at an early stage.

Next: both agencies say more details will come in the implementation phase. Builder, mission, launch provider and timeline are still to be announced. A search on 9 Nov 2026 found no new official announcement for 1 Oct–9 Nov 2026.

Milestone path

1. 4 Dec 2023

   Background: MisrSat-2 launched

   Achieved

   Egypt's MisrSat-2 Earth-observation satellite, built with China, launched from Jiuquan.

   Why it matters: Recent Egyptian experience that the joint satellite may draw on (not confirmed as part of the programme).

2. Dec 2023 (reported 20 Dec 2023)

   Space agencies sign cooperation MoU

   Achieved

   The Saudi Space Agency and the Egyptian Space Agency signed a memorandum of understanding in Riyadh on peaceful space cooperation, joint research and localising space industry.

   Why it matters: This agreement is the legal basis for the joint satellite.

3. 3 Feb 2024

   Background: NExSat-1 launched

   Achieved

   Egypt's NExSat-1 Earth-observation satellite, developed with Germany's Berlin Space Technologies, launched on a Jielong-3 rocket.

   Why it matters: It shows Egypt's growing in-house satellite building skills.

4. 4 Aug 2024

   Background: NExSat-1 operational phase completed

   Latest

   The Egyptian Space Agency announced that NExSat-1 had completed its operational phase.

   Why it matters: A completed mission adds to the track record Egypt brings to a joint build.

Milestone path

1. 23 Jun 2026

   Saudi Cabinet approves joint satellite

   Achieved

   The Saudi Council of Ministers, in a session chaired by King Salman, approved the initiative to design and build the first joint Saudi–Egyptian satellite.

   Why it matters: Cabinet approval turns the 2023 agreement into a named project.

2. 8 Sep 2026

   Agency leaders discuss implementation plan

   Latest

   EgSA CEO Dr Eng. Maged Ismail and SSA deputy CEO Eng. Ahmed Al-Ghufaili met in El Alamein, before the airshow, to discuss the implementation roadmap and the design and build.

   Why it matters: Egyptian design, academy and Nabta Playa teams took part, but no agreement was signed.

3. Not published

   Design and build roles defined

   Planned

   Both agencies say the talks will define the design and build phases and each side's role.

   What to watch: whether Egypt's Space City test centre is used, and which side leads the build.

4. Not published

   Mission, builder and launch announced

   Planned

   Mission, orbit, builder, launch provider and cost are still to be announced.

   What to watch: the first technical details and any industrial partners named.