The Egyptian Space Agency (EgSA) and AQMAAR Space Technologies, an aviation and aerospace component manufacturer, have signed a cooperation protocol aimed at advancing satellite manufacturing in Egypt. The partnership, signed on March 24, will harness the agency’s infrastructure for satellite testing, operations, and frequency allocation, strengthening collaboration between research institutions and the private sector.

AQMAAR is spearheading the development of satellite swarms designed for IoT, communications, and Earth observation. The company’s business model adopts the use of CubeSats (a class of small satellites), offering lightweight, modular, and scalable solutions for scientific research, commercial applications, and planetary missions. Small satellites built to CubeSat specifications save significant resources, helping to eliminate barriers to space access and exploration.

According to the ‘Small Satellite Market Size, Share, Competitive Landscape and Trend Analysis Report’ by Allied Market Research, the global small satellite market was valued $3,251.9 million in 2020 and is projected to reach $13,711.7 million by 2030, registering a CAGR of 16.4%. Egypt, through AQMAAR’s private-sector involvement, is positioning itself to tap into this lucrative market by developing swarms of satellites for IoT, communications, and Earth observation applications.

The agreement is expected to accelerate Egypt’s space technology capabilities, open new opportunities for research and development, and contribute to the expansion of commercial satellite applications. As Egypt continues its ambitious space agenda, this collaboration marks a significant step towards enhancing national self-sufficiency in satellite production and boosting the country’s presence in the international space sector.

Hikmatu Bilali