Kenya, on Saturday, marked a new milestone in space exploration by launching the first satellite dubbed “Taifa-1” into space after three botched attempts linked to bad weather.
Developed by nine Kenyan engineers, the observation satellite blasted off aboard SpaceX’s Falcon-9 full-thrust rocket.
The country launched the satellite from the Space Launch Complex 4E (SLC-4E), at Vandenberg Space Force Base in the USA.
The Kenya Space Agency described the launch of Taifa-1 as a historic milestone.
It came amid efforts to harness space science to tackle present-day ecological challenges like the climate crisis.
Taifa is a Swahili word meaning “nation” in English.
Alloyce Were, an aeronautical engineer and Deputy Director of Navigation and Positioning at Kenya Space Agency, said the satellite while orbiting in space, will capture and relay images that would aid response to climatic shocks.
In addition, Taifa-1 will also boost surveillance on forestry and urbanization, said Kenya Space Agency.
It was assembled with the aid of Bulgarian aerospace company Endurosat at a cost of about $372,000, over two years.
The satellite will also collect agricultural data, monitor wildfires and aid local efforts to combat food insecurity.
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It will equally strengthen disaster management, noted Kenya Space Agency.
Taifa-1 launch after three failed attempts last week linked to unfavourable upper-level wind conditions according to Kenya Space Agency is expected to revitalise the push for space exploration in Africa.
According to local media reports, Egypt was the first African country to send a satellite into space in 1998.
In 2018, Kenya launched its first experimental nano-satellite from the International Space Station.
By 2022, at least 13 African countries had manufactured 48 satellites, according to Space in Africa, a Nigerian-based firm that tracks the progress of space programs in the continent.
So far, African countries have launched more than 50 satellites as of November 2022.
Although, none from the continent’s soil, says Space in Africa.
It added that in January, the Djibouti government inked a deal with a Hong-Kong based-company to build a $1 billion commercial spaceport, which is expected to take five years to complete. (Xinhua)
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