Egyptian Space Agency Launches & Operates SPNEX Satellite

The Egyptian Space Agency launched and began operating the Egyptian satellite SPNEX, with the spacecraft entering its designated orbit and transmitting its first signals. The launch took place from the Rong Feng space base in northwest China, and the mission proceeded to on-orbit operations following insertion into orbit. The launch forms part of national nanosatellite development programmes undertaken by the Egyptian Space Agency. SPNEX serves as a scientific laboratory in orbit developed in collaboration with the Academy of Scientific Research and Technology. The satellite is tasked with measuring plasma properties in the ionosphere to support studies of solar and geomagnetic storm effects, enable more accurate ionospheric modelling, and contribute to climate-related research applications. The Egyptian Space Agency stated that SPNEX was developed entirely within its laboratories from the first quarter of 2022. All assembly, integration and testing activities were conducted at the agency’s AIT centre at the Egyptian Space City. On December 12th, 2025, the agency’s ground control and reception station received telemetry confirming the satellite’s stability in orbit, effective system performance, and battery charge at about 90% after sun pointing. The agency noted that SPNEX’s design, system development and software, as well as the design and implementation of the ground control station, were carried out by national technical teams. The satellite’s data is planned to be made available soon to researchers at Egyptian universities and research centres to support scientific studies and space applications.