Kenya is getting ready to launch its first ever earth observation satellite, marking a significant milestone in the nation’s space research endeavors.
Next week, the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying Nation-1, also known as Taifa-1 in Swahili, is set to blast out from the Californian Vandenberg Space Force Base.
According to a joint announcement from the Kenya Space Agency and the Ministry of Defense, the satellite is intended to deliver earth observation data for use in agricultural, food security, and environmental management.
It was “fully designed and developed” by Kenyan engineers in collaboration with a Bulgarian aerospace manufacturer, the statement added.
A delegation from Kenya is expected to travel to the US for the launch.
The mission is seen as a significant milestone for Kenyan scientific innovation. The country is suffering its worst drought in decades after five failed rain seasons.
In 2018, Kenya launched its first experimental nano-satellite from the International Space Station.