During a conference held Oct. 22, Egypt’s Space Committee announced plans to launch a satellite to monitor climate change in African countries in partnership with Chinese institutions.
Climate researchers say the announcement comes ahead of the UN climate conference (COP27) to be held in Sharm el-Sheikh between Nov. 6-18, in what will be a step in the right direction toward addressing climate change challenges.
As part of the conference on Oct. 22, Ahmed Farag, who heads the Space Committee of the Syndicate of Engineers, explained that a prototype of the satellite would be displayed in Sharm el-Sheikh during the UN climate conference sessions in order to explain its purpose and objectives.
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The Satellite’s Specialization
As Farag explained, the satellite is designed to monitor climate change in Africa, including desertification, the increase in carbon emissions, water vapour, and wind speeds. Cairo and all countries on the African continent will benefit greatly from this information in their efforts to address climate change’s adverse effects.
It was a partnership of several specialized experts that held workshops to activate the syndicate’s Space Committee, which was formed in August. As part of the seminar series, educators and researchers were also encouraged to highlight the critical role that education and research institutions play in space science and the tight relationship between space and climate. According to an anonymous source within the Egyptian space agency, two satellites would be launched in Africa, one specialized in monitoring climate change, but the launch date has not yet been announced.
Farag said that talks with an unnamed Chinese party to join the Academy of Scientific Research and Technology in the launch process are now under progress. The insider claims that the specifics will be revealed when the discussions are through.
A second satellite will be deployed in 2023 with the intention of detecting the amount of plasma in the upper atmosphere, the source continued.
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The source added that Egypt’s hosting of COP27 for the first time is a good opportunity for the nation to showcase its initiatives to combat the harmful effects of climate change on the African continent. The country should use various cutting-edge technological strategies to gain the trust of international organizations and secure the funding required to support these initiatives and achieve the desired goals.
According to Osama Shelbaya, dean of the Faculty of Navigation Sciences and Space Technology at Beni Suef University, Egypt’s proposal to deploy a satellite to monitor climate changes in Africa is crucial to addressing climate-related difficulties and the consequent phenomena by monitoring them in advance and establishing plans to deal with them, to minimize or reduce any damages or adverse consequences.
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He said that satellite launches are costly, which forced Egypt to turn to Chinese parties as part of its efforts to combat climate change, which would be capped off by hosting the COP27.
Sami Hashem, the chairman of the committee overseeing education and scientific research in the Egyptian parliament, agreed and told Al-Monitor that Egypt’s intention to launch the first satellite to track climate change in Africa is exceptional and shows that the government is employing all available scientific and technical tools to reduce the negative consequences of climate change on both Egypt and Africa.
He said that, among other consequences, African nations are the most vulnerable to being harmed by desertification, water scarcity, beach erosion, and drought. Hashem continued by saying that the satellite launch is advantageous for all of Africa, not only Egypt and that the COP27 should focus on it since it will play a significant and effective role in addressing climate concerns.
