EnduroSat, a Bulgarian aerospace company, has announced it will partner with the Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST) to build Botswana’s first satellite, BOTSAT-1. SpaceX plans to launch the satellite on its Transporter-13 mission by February 2025.
BIUST engineers will work with EnduroSat’s team in Sofia to complete the satellite’s assembly and payload integration. BOTSAT-1 will aid Botswana’s mining and agricultural industries with a hyperspectral sensory camera payload, boasting a spatial resolution of 32 meters at 500 kilometers altitude.
Supporting Botswana’s Development Goals
BOTSAT-1 is scheduled for completion in August 2024 and will launch aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9. The satellite will tackle Botswana’s developmental challenges and promote sustainable development by providing critical data.
By collecting information from various light bands and near-infrared spectrums, the satellite will offer valuable insights for future planning. SpaceX will manage the launch logistics and ensure thorough testing for a smooth process.
Raycho Raychev, EnduroSat’s Founder and CEO, expressed confidence in BIUST, and noted their growth vision. “”The fact that the organisation has a long-term strategic growth vision and is strictly following that vision will enable them to build a formidable space program.”
This collaboration is expected to extend beyond the initial satellite project. It also aims to establish Botswana as a space hub.
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Advancing Botswana’s Space Ambitions
The collaboration also includes exchange opportunities based on EnduroSat’s new Master’s program in space engineering and technology. Botswana will become the 16th African nation with a satellite in orbit once BOTSAT-1 launches.
This development is part of a broader trend in African space exploration. Other notable projects include Nigeria’s plans to send a citizen to space, Zimbabwe’s ZimSat-2 launch, and StarVision’s agreement with Zambia.
In summary, this partnership highlights Botswana’s ambition for scientific and technological advancement, positioning the nation for a prominent role in space exploration.