Two years after launching its first Earth observation satellite, Zimbabwe is planning to send three new units into orbit.

Working with its Japanese partners, the Zimbabwe National Geospatial and Space Agency (ZINGSA) is already developing ZimSat-2, which is scheduled to launch later this year, reports Space in Africa. The next two satellites are reportedly in the initial development stage.

While ZimSat-1 is an educational Earth observation cube satellite mapping land use and land cover and monitoring water quality, its successor will feature more advanced capabilities, with better sensors and improved image resolution.

‘The ZimSat-2 project will ensure that local skills are developed and technology transfer is realised and localised. Above all, we will have a guaranteed continuation of landscape monitoring for the coming two to four years,’ says ZINSGA co-ordinator Painos Gweme.

Through its collaboration with Japan, Zimbabwe is hoping to build local capacity to design, manufacture, test and launch satellites; set up ground stations to uplink and downlink data; and monitor and control satellites in orbit.

2 April 2024
Image: Freepik