‘King Mohammed VI’ Satellite Aims to Strengthen Morocco’s Socio-Economic Development

Persisma, Rabat – Morocco’s first reconnaissance satellite, due to be launched on November 8, will bear the name of King Mohammed VI. The launch will make Morocco the third African country with a reconnaissance satellite after Egypt and South Africa.

According to the state-run press agency, the images collected by the satellite will help Morocco polish its green policies, in line with kingdom’s repeated affirmations that is committed to environmental protection.

Agriculture, as one of Morocco’s key economy sectors, will greatly benefit from the satellite.

At the same time, the device will ensure a better management of Morocco’s forestry and silvopasture resources.

The satellite also offers Morocco an opportunity to improve management of its territories, to better plan housing expansion, and to closely monitor slum eradication operations.

“Empowered with this equipment, Morocco will certainly take the lead in terms of water resources management and underground water prospection,” writes MAP.

Morocco’s neighbors are reported to be closely watching this development. Radio France Internationale (RFI).

Due to be launched from French Guyana, the Mohammed VI satellite came into being after Morocco concluded a contract with Airbus Defense & Space and Thales Alenia Space in April 2013.

The satellite will be controlled by the Moroccan Ministry of Defense in a control base not far from Salé’s airport, which will be overseen by the Royal Centre for Remote Sensing (CRTS) in Rabat.