The Kenyan government announced on Monday that the country will launch its first operational satellite next week Monday.
According to a report by AFP, the satellite, named Taifa-1 or Nation-1 in Swahili, will be launched on April 10 using the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.
The defence ministry and Kenya Space Agency said in a joint statement, “The mission is an important milestone. It would contribute significantly to the country’s budding space economy.”
The statement further added that the observation satellite, which was fully designed and developed by Kenyan engineers, will provide data on agriculture and food security, among other areas.
Collaborating with a Bulgarian aerospace manufacturer, the Kenyan engineers tested and manufactured the parts for the satellite. Kenya is currently facing its worst drought in decades after five failed rain seasons.
As an East African economic powerhouse, the satellite launch is expected to enhance Kenya’s push for scientific innovation and the development of space programmes.
In 2018, Kenya launched its first experimental nano-satellite from the International Space Station.
According to a Nigeria-based firm that tracks African space programmes, Space in Africa,
as of 2022, at least 13 African countries had manufactured 48 satellites.
More than 50 African satellites have been launched as of November 2022, although none from African soil.
The satellite launch is a part of the African nations’ increasing interest in scientific innovation and the development of space programmes.
In January, the Djibouti government announced a memorandum of understanding with a Hong Kong-based company to build a $1 billion commercial spaceport that is expected to take five years to complete.
