It has been announced that the regional satellite operator Nilesat has ordered the construction of a new communications satellite called Nilesat 301 from Thales Alenia Space. The spacecraft will eventually replace the Nilesat 201 in geostationary orbit. The 4,100kg Nilesat 301 spacecraft will use the Spacebus 4000C2 bus/platform and will be launched in January 2021.