Egypt will launch a new satellite from Kazakhstan on Wednesday, official news agency MENA reported on Monday.
"Egypt will launch a new satellite, named 'Egyptsat,' from Baikonur Cosmodrome, located in the desert steppe of Kazakhstan to enhance modern scientific research," Egyptian cabinet spokesperson Houssam Qawish was quoted as saying.
The satellie will also contribute to development in such fields as agricuture and oil and gas exploration, and pave the way for the formation of an Egyptian space agency, Qawish said.
The new satellite costs 300 million Egyptian pounds (nearly 43 million U.S. dollars).
Egypt currently owns two communication satellites, Nilesat 1 and Nilesat 2, which provide broadcasting services for the country.
Source: Xinhua News Agency