Active Development AidData Chinese Aid

China Exim Bank named in loan for construction and launch of Sudanese remote sensing satellite (SRSS-1)

Funder	Export-Import Bank of China (China Eximbank)
Recipient Organization	Government of Sudan
Country	Sudan
Start Date	Jan 01, 2017
End Date	Sep 15, 2030
Duration	5,005 days
Number of Grantees	1
Roles	Recipient
Data Source	AidData Chinese Aid
Grant ID	`108430`

Grant Description

China Exim Bank named in loan for construction and launch of Sudanese remote sensing satellite (SRSS-1) In 2017, China and Sudan began work on a joint project to design, develop, and launch the Sudanese remote sensing satellite (SRSS-1).

According to the Sudanese government, the purpose of the satellite was to generate data for topographic mapping, developmental planning, exploration of natural resources, environmental monitoring, agricultural monitoring, and defense applications.

As of 2017, the Sudanese government was working on securing a loan facility from China’s Exim Bank to finance the satellite. However, it is unclear if a loan was ultimately secured.

SRSS-1 was launched November 3, 2019, from Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center on a Chinese Long March 4B satellite launch vehicle. The satellite was to be managed by Defense Industries Group of Sudan from a ground base north of Khartoum. The satellite had a projected lifespan of two years, and by November 23 2023, the satellite had decayed.

The satellite had a weight of 16 kilograms, orbited at 500 kilometers and had an image resolution of 5 meters at 500 kilometers. The satellite was reported to cost 12 million dollars in 2019.

📋 Staff Comments

It is unclear whether this project was ultimately funded by China Exim Bank- as such AidData has coded this record as Pipeline: pledge.
The timeline of the project is unclear. As a place holder, AidData has coded the reported start year of the project as the commitment date.

📚 Sources & References

Inside Sudan’s National Space Programme
Sudan Launches First Artificial Satellite
SuSat1
AVIATION
AEROSPACE & TELECOMMUNICATION SECTOR
Sudan’s First Satellite SRSS-1 Launched By China
Sustainable for All? How Satellite Remote Sensing Contributes to Sustainable Development in Africa and International Climate Policy
China’s Role in Africa’s Rapidly Growing Space Market
China launches Sudan's first satellite highlighting strong links between Beijing and Sudan's new government
外媒：中国帮助苏丹圆了卫星梦, إطلاق أول قمر صناعي سوداني بالتعاون مع الصين, حزب المؤتمر الوطني - السودان, 'سوسات'.. أول قمر صناعي سوداني لغزو الفضاء
SRSS-1 Loan applications and disbursements are still being received and processed as the projects continue to evolve. Ongoing monitoring and evaluation are in place to ensure project continuity.