Botswana enters space age with BOTSAT-1 satellite launch
Botswana
,
07 Mar 2025
As satellite technology gains traction on the African continent, Botswana successfully launched its first satellite, BOTSAT-1, marking a huge step forward in the country's technological development.
The launch took place yesterday at SpaceX facilities in California, USA, and was attended by President Duma Boko.
The satellite, developed by engineers from the Botswana International University of Science and Technology, was launched in California because the country and continent lack a space pad capable of launching a satellite of that size.
The mining-rich country has joined a group of African governments and telecom companies that have agreed to use satellite technology to help the region achieve its economic goals.
Boko stated that the Southern African country is making a significant investment in technology to stimulate innovation, research, and development for long-term success.
“BOTSAT-1 will provide real-time data to support national initiatives in environmental monitoring, agriculture, disaster response, and urban planning. Its capabilities position Botswana as a growing player in space technology within Africa,” he said
Minister of communications and innovation, David Tshere, told Botswana media that BOTSAT-1 was launched aboard a SpaceX rocket, capable of accommodating a hyper-spectral camera payload at an altitude of approximately 600 kilometers.
“The satellite would orbit the earth continuously six times daily, transmitting and collecting data for various purposes. This satellite would show high-resolution images on the surface that would provide accurate data to inform policymakers. We have set up a data facility or ground station that would be storing information from the satellite,” he said.
Botswana’s new administration, which was sworn in just three months ago, has already announced plans to improve innovations in communication through a second satellite that would entail faster Internet.