A meeting between the space agencies of the two countries to discuss the executive plan for the initiative ahead of the El Alamein International Air and Space Exhibition 2026.
The CEO of the Egyptian Space Agency, Maged Ismail, held a meeting with the representative of the Saudi Space Agency, Ahmed bin Saleh Al-Ghafili, to discuss the executive plan for the first joint satellite, following the Saudi Council of Ministers’ approval of the initiative.
AI-generated summary
The two agencies signed a memorandum of understanding in December 2023 to cooperate in the peaceful use of space. The Saudi Council of Ministers approved the initiative on June 23.
The CEO of the Egyptian Space Agency, Maged Ismail, held a meeting with the representative of the Saudi Space Agency, Engineer Ahmed bin Saleh Al-Ghafili, to discuss the features of the initiative’s executive plan, prior to the opening of the El Alamein International Air and Space Exhibition 2026.
The meeting comes after the Saudi Council of Ministers approved, on June 23, the initiative to design and build the first joint Saudi-Egyptian satellite, in a step that gave the project an official impetus towards moving to the preparation and implementation stages.
The Egyptian Space Agency and the Saudi Space Agency signed a memorandum of understanding in December 2023 to enhance cooperation in the peaceful use of space and exchange experiences in the fields of satellite technology, providing an institutional framework for cooperation that is currently developing into a joint space project.
The project is of particular importance in light of the two countries' efforts to localize space technologies and develop national capabilities in designing, manufacturing and operating satellites, in addition to preparing human cadres specialized in space science and technology.
Egyptian-Saudi cooperation in this field would allow the two sides to combine technical expertise, institutional structure, and human capabilities, and open the way for joint space projects that could be used in the future to serve development, scientific research, and applications related to Earth observation and resource management, according to the announced general objectives of the initiative.
This step comes in the context of expanding Arab interest in developing the space industry, with countries in the region seeking to develop local capabilities in satellites, space data, and remote sensing, instead of simply purchasing space services from abroad.
For Egypt, the cooperation comes within a growing path to develop its capabilities in the field of designing and manufacturing satellites, while the partnership with Saudi Arabia represents an opportunity to expand the scope of Arab cooperation in a sector that requires large investments, specialized expertise, and integration between scientific and industrial institutions.
As for Saudi Arabia, the project is consistent with the direction of “Saudi Vision 2030” towards developing advanced technical sectors, localizing technology, and enhancing national capabilities in future industries, including the space sector.
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Starting the actual preparation and implementation stages of the joint project
Very likely · Within months

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