Obverse. Image Courtesy of Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS.com)
  • 5 Pounds 1998, Egypt, Launch of Nilesat Satellite
  • 5 Pounds 1998, Egypt, Launch of Nilesat Satellite
Description

Nilesat is an Egyptian company and the name of a series of Egyptian communications satellites. It was established in 1996 with the purpose of operating Egyptian satellites and their associated mission control center and ground stations. Nilesat operates multiple geosynchronous communications satellites, all of which are stationed at 7 degrees West. Nilesat includes as of 17 April 2022 1091 video channels, most of which are free-to-air.

Nilesat 101 was launched by an Ariane 4 rocket from Kourou, French Guiana on 28 April 1998 at 22:53:00 UTC by the European Space Agency. It was manufactured by the European company Matra Marconi Space (Astrium) and started official broadcasting on 31 May 1998. The satellite had an expected lifetime of 12 years. At launch, the spacecraft had a Gross Liftoff Weight (GLOW) of 1,666 kg, which means it is loaded with propellant.

Obverse

Depicts the emblem of the Nilesat Company, inscription "Launch of the Egyptian satellite Nilesat" below and date 28 April 1998 above.

The logo depicts a satellite above the Egyptian Renaissance sculpture in granite by Mahmoud Mukhtar (1919–1928, Giza) and shows Sphinx and a woman raising up her veil. The Sphinx represents antiquity and the woman is the symbol of an awakened Egypt.

٢٨ ابريل ١٩٩٨
اطلاق القمر الصناعي المصري نايل سات

Reverse

Domination divides the legend "Arab Republic of Egypt" above and dates below.

جمهورية مصر العربية
٥
جنيهات
١٤١٩ ١٩٩٨

Edge
Characteristics
Type Commemorative Issue (Non-circulating)
Material Gold
Fineness 0.875
Weight 26 g
Diameter 33 mm
Thickness -
Shape round
Alignment Medal
Mint
Cairo Mint

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