Zimbabwe, a country making significant strides in space technology, is set to launch its second satellite, ZimSat-2, in November, as the local news agency Bulawayo24 reported. This launch is crucial in enhancing the country’s data transmission and space technology capabilities. The pre-launch tests for ZimSat-2 have been completed, marking a significant achievement for Zimbabwe.
According to Professor Amon Murwira, the country’s Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development, the Zimbabwe National Geospatial and Space Agency (ZINGSA) is finalizing technical preparations for a winter launch.
“We are now waiting for the appropriate window for the perfect space weather in November,” he said. Murwira added that several other space projects will be announced soon.
ZINGSA coordinator Painos Gweme explained that the initial May 26 launch date was postponed because the primary payload was not ready, which pushed the date window to November. “The launches are done in seasons, which means we have also missed the June-July-August window, so we will now wait for the November window. The launch will now be done in November,” Gweme said.
ZimSat-2 will have advanced sensors and imaging devices to support mineral exploration, environmental hazard monitoring, and drought management.
Zimbabwe launched its first Earth observation satellite, ZimSat-1, in November 2022. In December, the spacecraft was deployed into orbit and transmitted data to a command centre at the Mazowe Ground Station. Since its deployment, ZimSat-1 has monitored ongoing droughts and facilitated mine mapping projects.
Zimbabwe, not content with its current achievements, has ambitious plans to deploy three more Earth observation satellites in the coming years. This forward-looking approach demonstrates the country’s commitment to furthering its space technology capabilities and contributing to the global space community.
According to the latest report from Space Hubs Africa, 15 African countries have launched 59 satellites to date, with South Africa being the first in 1998. By 2025, the outlet expects 125 new African satellite development projects to be completed.
