China’s CNSA & Egypt’s EGSA Signed an MoU for Space Cooperation

Current Context: The China National Space Administration (CNSA) and the Egyptian Space Agency (EGSA) have indeed signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on space cooperation and the peaceful use of outer space on 6th December 2023 in Beijing.

• They also signed a cooperation agreement on the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS).
• The areas of cooperation include joint research in lunar and deep space exploration, the development and launch of spacecraft, space infrastructure, satellite data reception and applications, the BRICS Remote Sensing Satellite Constellation, space science, and astronomical observation.
• This collaboration builds on the foundation laid in 2019 when China initiated the establishment of a satellite assembly, integration, and test center for Egypt in Cairo.
• The AIT center, which opened in June 2023, played a crucial role in assembling and testing the Misrsat-2 remote sensing satellite for Egypt, which was recently launched by China.
• Egypt’s participation in the ILRS makes it the first Arab country to join the project and the second on the African continent after South Africa, which joined in September.

Question:

Q.1 Which country is the first Arab country to join the ILRS project?
a. Saudi Arabia
b. United Arab Emirates
c. Egypt
d. Jordan