Satellite delight

Kenya’s Taifa-1, the first satellite designed locally, rockets into the space economy

By Son Gatitu

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Posted on May 2, 2023 14:08

© Kenya Space Agency (KSA) engineers Aloyce Were (L), Deche Bungule (C) and Andrew Nyawade who designed and developed the first Kenyan operational earth observation satellite Taifa-1, hold the prototype of the satellite. (Simon Maina/AFP) — Kenya Space Agency (KSA) engineers Aloyce Were (L), Deche Bungule (C) and Andrew Nyawade who designed and developed the first Kenyan operational earth observation satellite Taifa-1, hold the prototype of the satellite. (Simon Maina/AFP)

Kenya’s Space Agency (KSA) recently deployed its first earth observation satellite into space, setting new grounds for the East African country as it moves to leverage accurate and timely space data. Will this be the turning point as the country moves to address some of its most pressing challenges associated with climate change?

On 14 April, Kenya’s first 3U satellite landed in space after deployment from North America. It was the culmination of a two-year journey during which the mission was developed by Kenyan engineers supported by Bulgaria’s Endurosat AD aerospace manufacturer.

“We are […] investing in a small satellite that will have meaning in our agriculture, our natural resources management,” said Director General Hillary Kipkosgei at KSA days before the launch.

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