NARSScube 1, 2 (Egycubesat 1)

NARSScube 1 [NARSS]

NARSScube 1, formerly known as Egycubesat 1, is the first Egyptian CubeSat developed by NARSS (National Authority for Remote Sensing and Space Sciences).

The NARSScube 1 mission goals are:

• to provide experience in building operating a picosatellite
• Technology demonstration to show NARSScube 1 can produce reliable data from space
• Promote the applied research in space engineering in the Egyptian universities and research Institutes

The satellite carries a small camera with a ground resolution of 100 meter to take snapshots for Egypt territories.

Originally a piggy-back launch on a Japanese H-2A-202 rocket with Planet C in 2010 was planned, but did not take place. In 2013, a launch on an Indian PSLV rocket was planned. In 2017, the project was restarted as NARSScube 1. The satellite was launched on board of HTV 8 to the ISS, where it was deployed on 20 November 2019.

A second identical satellite, NARSScube 2, was built. It was originally to launch on the Cygnus CRS-10 mission to the ISS, but was delayed due to licensing issues. It was launched on board of Dragon CRS-18 and transfered on the ISS to the SEOPS Slingshot deployer on Cygnus CRS-11. It was deployed on 8 August 2019 after Cygnus CRS-11 departing from the ISS.