The Definitive Guide to Living in the Capital , Cairo , Egypt

(Image credit: Daily News)

Named after the ancient Egyptian city of Thebes, the telecommunications satellite, Tiba-1, was successfully launched into orbit at 11:22 on Tuesday by French company Arianespace from South America’s French Guiana space centre. According to Ahram, the satellite is set to cover remote areas in Egypt with better coverage for telecommunication and internet.

According to Daily News, Arianespace’s CEO Stéphane Israël said, “Arianespace is very proud to have launched the 250th Ariane on our eighth mission of the year, for Thales Alenia Space and Airbus Defence and Space on behalf of the Government of Egypt…”

It is reported that Tiba-1 will be operational within three months of its launch and will be managed by the Egyptian Government. It was co-developed by Thales Alenia Space and Airbus Defence and Space, and although it may be Egypt’s first telecommunications satellite, it is the fourth to be launch for Egypt by Arianespace.

In 1998, NileSat 101 was launched, followed by NileSat 102 in 2000, which have supplied Egypt with hundreds of TV channels over the years. Then, the first Egyptian remote-sensing satellite, EgyptSat 1, was launched in 2007, in collaboration with Ukraine’s Yuzhnoye State Design Office.

Tiba-1’s anticipated launch was broadcasted live on national television as millions of Egyptians watched Tiba-1 rocket through the sky in triumph. Watch it below: