One by one, the satellites, each equipped with an assortment of solar panels and gadgets, separated from their mothership. They had launched from Earth just an hour earlier, on August 16. Among the 116 satellites, mostly developed by Western nations and companies, one stood out: the first spacecraft ever created by Senegal.
The small CubeSat, named GaindeSAT-1A, will support earth observation and telecommunications. Senegal’s president hailed it as a significant stride towards “technological sovereignty.” According to Kwaku Sumah, founder and managing director of Spacehubs Africa, the drop in satellite launch costs has opened up new opportunities for smaller nations to enter the space arena.
So far, 17 African countries have launched over 60 satellites, with Senegal, Djibouti, and Zimbabwe all making their first launches within the last year. More African satellites are expected to reach orbit in the near future. However, the continent lacks its own space launch facilities.
Moreover, some powerful nations are using Africa’s emerging space programs as a way to strengthen ties and assert geopolitical influence. The question remains whether African countries can carve out their own path to space and beyond.
Mr. Sumah stresses the importance of African countries having their own satellites, citing better control over technology and improved access to satellite data. This data could aid in monitoring crops, detecting extreme weather threats like floods, and enhancing telecommunications in remote areas.
However, Jessie Ndaba, co-founder and managing director of Astrofica Technologies, a South African space tech firm, says that space exploration is still viewed as “something for the elite” in Africa. Her company is facing slow business overall. She believes space technology should be used to tackle pressing issues such as climate change, rather than engaging in an “African space race” to reach the moon or Mars.
Sarah Kimani, from Kenya’s Meteorological Department, has found satellites invaluable for tracking dangerous weather conditions. For instance, she used data from Eumetsat, a European satellite agency, to monitor a major dust storm in March. She is looking forward to receiving updated data from Eumetsat’s latest satellites later this year, which will offer wildfire and lightning monitoring capabilities, helping to improve early warning systems.
Climate change has made weather events more intense, from major storms to severe droughts. Kimani believes that frequent satellite updates could significantly enhance meteorologists’ ability to monitor these threats. She also advocates for more African countries, including Kenya, to have their own meteorological satellites, noting that only Africans truly understand the continent’s needs.
Currently, many African nations with budding space programs depend on foreign technology and expertise. Temidayo Oniosun, managing director of Space in Africa, points out that while some countries have sent students and engineers abroad for training, there are often no facilities for them to use when they return. Although Senegal’s satellite was built by local technicians, it was made possible through a partnership with a French university and launched via a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from California.
Several major powers, including Europe, China, and the U.S., have participated in African space projects. This involvement has helped African technology enter orbit, but it also serves as a “critical diplomatic tool,” raising concerns for some, including Oniosun.
African space programs are not just about sending satellites into orbit; they are also arenas for competition among global powers. Sumah is optimistic, suggesting that African countries can leverage the interest of different powers to secure favorable deals. Julie Klinger, from the University of Delaware, notes that space-related collaborations have “strategic” implications, necessitating updates to global treaties and strategies to maintain peace in space.
There are also potential opportunities for Africa. Space launches from equatorial regions require less fuel, making African spaceports potentially valuable in the future. The Luigi Broglio Space Center, an old Italian-built launch platform off the coast of Kenya, could one day be revived.
In the years ahead, African nations are expected to increase their space activities. With nearly 80 satellites currently under development, Oniosun believes the industry’s future is promising.
