Commissioning Of Satellite Project Phase One Today

Botswana satellite project (BOTSAT 1) first phase, a ground communication station is set for commissioning by President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi in Palapye today.

In an interview, Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST) vice chancellor for research, development and innovation Professor Abraham Ogwu said the ground communication station was fully operational, installed and tested by a team of experts.

“The ground communication station is the key component of the satellite space programme which upon commissioning will start receiving data from other existing satellites,” he said adding that Botswana was one of a few African countries with such technology.Started by BIUST in 2020, the project was core to the design of a cube satellite envisaged to go into space next year, said Professor Ogwu.

He said once launched into space, BOTSAT 1 would generate useful satellite data to solve agricultural and tourism industry challenges as well as influence smart farming and real-time virtual tourism.

Professor Ogwu said the satellite project was in line with the Reset Agenda and Sustainable Development Goals on responsible consumption and production and climate action.

The project, he said, would help train and equip students with relevant skills for a sustainable indigenous satellite programme.

It would also serve as a platform through which the country’s researchers, scientists, engineers and students could be trained on the entire process of satellite development, he said.