Morocco Prepares to License Starlink and OneWeb for Satellite Internet Services in 2025

The National Telecommunications Regulatory Agency in Morocco is preparing to grant licenses to SpaceX's Starlink and OneWeb, allowing them to offer satellite internet services in the country beginning in 2025. Should this proceed, Morocco would be among the first North African countries to activate Starlink’s LEO (low-Earth orbit) satellite network, potentially setting a precedent for other…

France and Morocco Partner to Develop Pan-African Satellite Communication System

MoU signing between Chairman and CEO of Panafsat Ahmed Toumi and Thales Alenia Space CEO Hervé Derrey. Source: Thales Moroccan company Panafsat and Thales Alenia Space (France) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop a Moroccan satellite communications system. This system will provide very high-throughput internet services (VHTS) to 26 African countries, including 23…

UNOOSA Hosts Space Law Technical Advisory Mission in Morocco

Space legislation experts attending the Space Law Technical Advisory Mission in Morocco. Source: UNOOSA The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) recently conducted a Space Law Technical Advisory Mission in Morocco as part of its ongoing Space Law Project. The event targeted government officials and highlighted the significance and advantages of establishing national space…

Morocco Launches Two Nanosatellites, UM5-EOSat and UM5-Ribat

SpaceX's rocket lifts off from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on Feb. 15, 2024. Source: SpaceX Morocco has achieved a significant milestone by launching its first university-built nanosatellites, UM5-EOSat and UM5-Ribat. The launch took place on August 16, 2024, aboard SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket from the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, United States.   This…

Morocco Strengthens Defence Capabilities with Acquisition of Advanced Earth Observation Satellites from Israel

The Ofek 13 satellite, with its radar antenna folded up in launch configuration. Source: Israel Aerospace Industries / Israel Ministry of Defense Morocco has finalised a deal with Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) to acquire two cutting-edge Earth Observation satellites in a significant move to bolster its intelligence and surveillance capabilities. Announced by Military Africa, the agreement…

CRTS, UN-SPIDER, and the International Charter Space and Major Disasters Organised a Training Course for Morocco to become an Authorised User

Key Highlights The training highlighted methodologies for Incorporating Morocco as an Authorised User of the International Charter Space and Major Disasters The training explored pathways to generating and utilising space-based data for disaster management. The training highlighted strategic plans for Morocco to integrate geospatial information into its national disaster management…

The 4th Annual Conference of the African Astronomical Society to be held in Morocco

In a press release by the African Astronomical Society (AfAS), the society announced its 4th Annual Conference at Cadi Ayyad University, Marrakech, Morocco, from 15 to 20 April 2024. This is the first time the AfAS annual conference will be held outside of the Secretariat's host country, South Africa, since its relaunch at the Astronomy in Africa meeting in March 2019 in Cape Town.  According to…

Morocco to Procure Next Satellite from Israel

According to the French media, La Tribune, Morocco signed an agreement with an Israeli company to build the country's new surveillance satellite in December 2023. Although the news has not been officially confirmed or denied, neither has the signing of the contract been ratified or refuted by the Moroccan government; it is speculated that the new satellite, which is intended to replace the…

Morocco Signs Arab Space Cooperation Group’s Basic Charter

The North African Country has signed the Arab Space Cooperation Group’s basic charter at the UAE Space Agency in Abu Dhabi. The signing took place during an official visit to the United Arab Emirates. The meeting's aim was to deepen collaboration and cooperation in the space industry. Dr Driss Al Haddani,  the Director-General of Morocco’s Royal Centre for Remote Space Sensing, led the working…

Morocco and France Sign Space Cooperation Agreement

Philippe Baptiste, the Chairman and CEO of Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales (CNES), visited Morocco as part of the Franco-Moroccan space cooperation, on Friday, July 9, 2021, to meet Abdellatif Loudiyi, Minister of National Defense Administration; Driss El Hadani, Director of the Royal Center for Space Remote Sensing (CRTS); and Professor Zakaria Moudden, Director of the Royal Research Center…