Europe joins US in the battle for under-served African customers in an already competitive internet market – with France eyeing up to 26 African markets, majority being francophone countries. SPECIAL REPORT | BIRD AGENCY | A new scramble for Africa’s satellite market between the US and Europe is underway, as …
Read More »Niger signs deal with Russian firm for 3 satellites
NIAMEY, Niger | Xinhua | The government of Niger, represented by Minister of Communication Sidi Mohamed Raliou, signed an agreement on Friday in the capital, Niamey, with Glavkosmos, a subsidiary of Russia’s Roscosmos space agency, to acquire three satellites aimed at bolstering the nation’s security and defense capabilities. The deal …
Read More »Ugandan space engineer Mujuni one of 31 picks for International Astronautical Congress
Paris, France | THE INDEPENDENT | Ugandan Space Engineer Edgar Mujuni has been named as one of the world’s top 31 Emerging Space Leaders by the International Aeronautical Federation (IAF). Mujuni and 30 other students and young professionals will travel to Milan, Italy in October 2024 to participate in the 75th International Astronautical Congress …
Read More »China launches new-generation marine satellite
Jiuquan, China |Xinhua | China on Thursday sent a new-generation ocean color monitoring satellite into space to help improve understanding of marine waters. This is the world’s first high-precision ocean color observation satellite that targets various water bodies around the world, using multiple detection methods. It can realize large-scale, continuous …
Read More »Kenya sends first observation satellite into space
Nairobi, Kenya | Xinhua | Kenya on Saturday marked a new milestone in space exploration by launching the first satellite dubbed “Taifa 1” into space after three botched attempts linked to bad weather. Developed by nine Kenyan engineers, the observation satellite blasted off aboard SpaceX’s Falcon-9 full-thrust rocket from Space Launch Complex …
Read More »Egypt to launch first satellite for climate monitoring
The satellite prototype will be displayed at COP 27 in Sharm El-Sheikh Cairo, Egypt | BIRD STORY AGENCY | After years of research, the Africa Development Satellite Initiative, AfDev-Sat, will display its prototype satellite at COP 27 in Sharm El-Sheikh through the Egyptian Space Agency. Egypt announced plans to use …
Read More »Uganda, Zimbabwe satellite goes into space this weekend
📌 Team Uganda | Engineers 🇺🇬 ✳ Edgar Mujuni ✳ Bonny Omara ✳ Derrick Tebusweke Wallops Island, Virginia, USA | THE INDEPENDENT, NASA & URN | First satellites from Uganda and Zimbabwe go to the Space Station this weekend under a Joint Global Multi-Nation Birds Satellite program (BIRDS). The Cygnus spacecraft will carry them …
Read More »China-aided project helps 100,000 people in rural Uganda access satellite TV
Wakiso, Uganda | Xinhua | China on Saturday officially completed the installation of the satellite television project in 900 Ugandan villages that face connectivity challenges. Chris Baryomunsi, Ugandan minister of Information, Communication, Technology and National Guidance, officiated at the handover ceremony held in Katabi village in the central Ugandan district …
Read More »Uganda’s first satellite nears completion
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, Dr. Monica Musenero has revealed that the country’s first national satellite is nearing completion, and will be launched into the international space station in September this year. The satellite named PearlAfricaSat-1, commenced two years ago in Japan. It’s being …
Read More »Europe marks 40th anniversary of first Ariane rocket launch
Paris, France | AFP | The first Ariane space rocket lifted off over the forests of French Guiana 40 years ago, enabling Europe to at last take its place as an independent player in the international race for space. Following a number of delays and technical setbacks, Ariane 1 finally left …
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