CANNES , France, 09 June 2022 -/African Media Agency(AMA)/- The NILESAT 301 communications satellite built by Thales Alenia Space, a joint venture between Thales (67%) and Leonardo (33%) for the Egyptian operator NILESAT was successfully launched today from Cape Canaveral launch pad, Florida (USA), on board of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.
Thanks to a powerful Ku-band mission NILESAT 301 will reinforce NILESAT commercial leadership in broadcast services at 7°W over MENA and opening new services over Southern Africa and Nile Basin. In addition, a state-of-the art multibeam Ka band mission will support NILESAT entry in the broadband connectivity market over Egypt.
As prime contractor, Thales Alenia Space was responsible for satellite design, production, testing and in-orbit acceptance tests. NILESAT will also benefit from brand new satellite control facilities installed in Cairo and Alexandria, which are already operational to control NILESAT 201 in orbit.
The satellite is based on the Spacebus 4000-B2 platform with about 4 metric tons at launch and a design life exceeding 15 years.
Following NILESAT 201, NILESAT 301 is the second geostationary communications satellite built by Thales Alenia Space for NILESAT. It is also the fourth payload developed by Thales Alenia Space for the Egyptian operator.
“We are delighted to continue supporting NILESAT in this growth by delivering customized satellite products with outstanding performance”, said Hervé Derrey, CEO of Thales Alenia Space. “This achievement proves that our telecommunications offer perfectly replies to the telecom market’s needs and that we are perfectly capable of providing tailored solutions that meet each operator’s specific requirements, to enhance global connectivity and reduce the digital divide.”
“Egypt is considered one of the most advanced countries in terms of space technologies in the Africa and Middle East. Thales has been present in Egypt since decades, providing our customers with capabilities in Defence, Transportation, Aerospace, Space, Digital Identity and Security” Said Sherif Barakat, CEO Thales in Egypt. “It is a great honor and a source of pride for all of us to be part of this strategic project and we are very happy of the successful launching of NILESAT 301 communications satellite”.
Distributed by African Media Agency (AMA) on behalf of Thales.
ABOUT Thales Alenia Space
Drawing on over 40 years of experience and a unique combination of skills, expertise and cultures, Thales Alenia Space delivers cost-effective solutions for telecommunications, navigation, Earth observation, environmental management, exploration, science and orbital infrastructures. Governments and private industry alike count on Thales Alenia Space to design satellite-based systems that provide anytime, anywhere connections and positioning, monitor our planet, enhance management of its resources, and explore our Solar System and beyond. Thales Alenia Space sees space as a new horizon, helping to build a better, more sustainable life on Earth. A joint venture between Thales (67%) and Leonardo (33%), Thales Alenia Space also teams up with Telespazio to form the parent companies’ Space Alliance, which offers a complete range of services. Thales Alenia Space posted consolidated revenues of approximately 2.15 billion euros in 2021 and has around 8,900 employees in 10 countries with 17 sites in Europe and a plant in the US.
THALES ALENIA SPACE – PRESS CONTACTS
Tarek Solimane
Regional Communications Director, Middle East &Africa
tarek.solimane@thalesgroup.com
Sandrine Bielecki
sandrine.bielecki@thalesaleniaspace.com
Catherine des Arcis
catherine.des-arcis@thalesaleniaspace.com
Marija Kovac
marija.kovac-somministrato@thalesaleniaspace.com
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