The Start of the Ethiopian Space Sector

The number of satellites in space is considered an indicator of their strength and economic potential. As in the past, the number of satellites in space is increasing beyond the military. As a result, space exploration is expanding.

Satellites provide a variety of benefits to countries. The fact that countries own satellites allows them to access a variety of information. Communication services are one of the services provided by satellites. They are also satellites that fill the information gap on weather information, security and scientific research.

Countries that used to buy data from satellites have their own satellites, reducing their costs. It enables them to conduct various scientific research and to make the Internet and similar services accessible to their communities and to other services.

Ethiopia is working to realize the importance of space science technology to the overall development of the country. In December 2012, it launched its first observation satellite into space, making it one of the few countries in Africa to be launched into space.

The rise of the Ethiopian name in space science has been a source of great joy to many Ethiopians. It is considered to be a sign that the country is on the verge of new beginning.

The satellite is sending satellite data that can be used for agriculture, natural resource conservation, rural and urban land as well as water resource management, mining, natural disasters forecasting and the like.

The Ethiopian Space Science and Technology Institute has announced that it has been receiving data since February 2012. Director General of the Institute, Abdissa Yilma, said: The fact that the country owns its own satellite has brought many benefits to it. The country’s first satellite has given it the opportunity to build the capacity of the sector.

The fact that Ethiopia has launched its first satellite on its own is a sign that the country has created capacity in the sector, he said. Although the sector is new to the country, it is a great achievement to be able to maintain the satellite on its own for one year without any problems, although the experts have never worked in the same field before, he said.

According to Abdisa, the second and biggest achievement was the launch of the country’s first satellite, which has inspired the youth and teenagers. This will create opportunities for more potential young people in the future.

It is hoped that Ethiopia’s focus on space will enable young people to graduate in quantity and quality in space science, conduct extensive research, expand space science universities, and establish satellite factories.

Satellite imagery is gaining ground in international forums. Ethiopia’s launch of a satellite has enabled it to become a member of the United Nations Space Agency. This will increase its credibility, he said.

Abdisa said the institute is working with institutions to utilize the information sent by the satellite. He also provided information from the satellite to research universities.

According to Abdisa, work is expected due to the inaccuracy in the use of data sent from the satellite. There is a gap in the information system of local institutions. Satellite data usage system is also not properly configured. While the country has its own satellite, institutions are still using satellite data from abroad.

It is understood that by filling the gaps in the use of satellite data, the country needs to focus on facilitating the use of data from its own satellite.

Recently, ET-Smart-RSS, the second terrestrial observer, launched its second land observation satellite, Ethiopia. This satellite, which weighs eight pounds [8.9 kg], has the same mission as the original satellite.

The satellite is expected to transmit satellite data that could be used for agriculture, natural resource conservation and management, rural and urban land management, water resources management, mining, natural disaster forecasting and similar services.

In a country like Ethiopia, where more than 80 percent of the population is engaged in agriculture, it is important to monitor the weather, floods, volcanoes, and hurricanes, so it is important to understand the weather and temperature in advance. This can be done by satellite, which is of great benefit.

The country is working to launch more satellites into space, and in the next 10 years the country will have three satellites. In addition to the satellite launched by Ethiopia this year, there will be three satellites, including a communications satellite, in the next 10 years.

 Accordingly, two Earth observations and one communication and broadcast satellite will be launched, he said. The satellite, which is expected to be launched in the coming years, is expected to solve the problems in the communications sector.

According to Dr. Yishurun ​​Alemayehu, Deputy Director General of the Ethiopian Space Science and Technology Institute The first satellite and the second satellite recently launched have the same purpose. Although they are both terrestrial observation satellites, there are differences in resolution and technology between the two satellites.

Explain that the second satellite is better in terms of resolution than the first satellite. He said the satellite was commissioned in 2012 at 13.75 meters, while the second satellite was provided at 5.4 meters. The first satellite can clearly see objects over 75 degrees wide.

The second can also see things less than 5.4 meters. Therefore, the second satellite has better image quality than the first satellite. As a result, he said, it is possible to see even small objects and narrow areas.

Explain as a doctor: The satellite was launched in 2012 and the most recently launched is the Nano Satellite. Satellites weighing between 1 and 10 pounds [1 to 10 kg] are called nano satellites. They weigh from 10 kg [100 to 100 kg] and are called micro-satellites. The Nano Satellite is a small satellite with advanced technology that can send better quality images.

When the first satellite was built, Ethiopians did not have the skills to build satellites or to receive information. Since the first satellite was built, Ethiopians were learning, and after the satellite was sent, it was possible to receive satellite data, control the satellite receiver station, and build capacity to repair it when it was damaged.

Ethiopians have developed their first design on the second satellite, based on experience from the first satellite. Although it was planned to work with foreigners on the original design and satellite production, they were able to do so with the help of the Internet, despite being absent from work due to the Covide 19 virus outbreak. When the first and most recently launched satellite are combined, it is expected that better ground observation services will be available.

State Minister for Innovation and Technology, Dr. Yania Saeed, who spoke at the event following the recent launch of the second satellite, said: The government is focusing on science and technology to ensure the country’s heights.

Recognizing the important role of technology and innovation in the success of the prosperity journey, he said it is one of the key issues in the long-term strategic plan, with special emphasis on space science.

He said space science, in addition to its benefits for natural resource management and development, infrastructure construction and monitoring, climate change and natural disasters, is a great opportunity for job creation and foreign exchange earning, he said.