Zimbabwe is set to send 3 new satellites into space. The country intends to increase its involvement in space activities by launching three more satellites.
Zimbabwe to Send 3 New Satellites into Space
Zimbabwe is gearing up to expand its presence in space with the launch of three additional satellites. The first of these, called ZimSat-2, is an Earth Observation satellite that has reached an advanced stage and is scheduled to launch in late 2024. The other two satellites are still in the early production stages following approval from the Zimbabwean government.
This initiative follows the successful launch of Zimbabwe’s initial Earth Observation CubeSat, ZimSat-1, into space in November 2022. The country has partnered with Japan for this project, just as it did for the previous one. As part of the collaboration, Japan will train Zimbabwean graduates to pave the way for the country to manufacture its satellites in the future.
Plans for More Satellites Beyond the Initial Three
According to Zimbabwe’s Minister for Finance and Economic Development, Mthuli Ncube, there are plans for more satellites beyond the initial three. Painos Gweme, the Coordinator of the Zimbabwe National Geospatial and Space Agency (ZINSGA), confirmed that the agency is working with various partners to design, manufacture, assemble, test, and launch satellites as per Zimbabwe’s national space strategy.
Zimbabwe’s Long-Term Goal of Manufacturing Space Satellites Domestically
Gweme also emphasized Zimbabwe’s long-term goal of manufacturing space satellites domestically. The training provided by Japan will cover various aspects of satellite technology, including design, production, testing, and launch.
The Primary Purpose of These Earth Observation Satellites
The primary purpose of these Earth observation satellites is to provide scientific data on Zimbabwe’s current situation. ZimSat-1, for instance, was designed for land use, land cover, and water quality monitoring. And it has since become essential for agricultural and mining mapping initiatives. ZimSat-2, on the other hand, will have even more capabilities than its predecessor.
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