By DAKAR, Senegal — Senegal successfully launched its first satellite into orbit on Friday evening, joining a select group of African nations with space capabilities. The nanosatellite, named GAINDESAT-1A, was launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.
President Bassirou Diomaye Faye hailed the launch as a major step towards Senegal’s “technological sovereignty” in a statement posted on social media platform X. “I would like to express my pride and gratitude to all those who made this project possible,” Faye said.
Maram Kaïré, director of Senegal’s space agency, described the event as “an important step and a historic day in our country’s progress and determination to become a space-faring nation.”
The satellite was developed by Senegalese engineers in collaboration with France’s Montpellier University Space Centre. It was one of 116 satellites deployed during the SpaceX mission.
With this launch, Senegal becomes the 12th African country to have its own surveillance and telecommunications satellite in space. The achievement underscores the growing interest and investment in space technology across the African continent.
GAINDESAT-1A is designed to collect data for various state agencies, including those responsible for water resources management, civil aviation, and meteorology. This capability is expected to enhance Senegal’s ability to address environmental and infrastructure challenges.
The successful launch represents a significant milestone in Senegal’s technological development and could potentially boost the country’s scientific research capabilities and economic growth.
International space experts view this development as part of a broader trend of African nations seeking to establish their presence in space. The continent has seen an increase in space-related activities in recent years, with countries like Nigeria, Egypt, and South Africa already operating their own satellites.
As Senegal celebrates this achievement, officials are already looking towards future space endeavors and the potential benefits they could bring to the nation’s development goals.
The launch has drawn attention from the international community, with space agencies and technology firms worldwide watching the progress of African nations in the field of space exploration and satellite technology.
