ADDIS ABABA – Ethiopia is ready to launch its first ‘Remote Sensing Satellite’ that weighs 72 kg into space at 12:21 am on December 17, 2019, through support from Chinese government, the Ministry of Innovation and Technology announced.
In a press conference held yesterday at Entoto Observatory and Research Center, Minister of Innovation and Technology Dr. Eng. Getahun Mekuria and Director General of the Ethiopian Space Science Technology Institute Dr. Solomon Belay have briefed journalists about the satellite.
They explained that the satellite is going to be launched in the middle of December. As the satellite, named as ETRSS-1, is recognized as the first-ever satellite in East African countries, it will be positioned far-off about 700 kilometers from Earth on 80 degree latitude, particularly centering Ethiopia and between East and West African countries, the Minister said.
According to him, the satellite would provide survey information that could help monitor weather patterns for better agricultural planning, water availability, mineral development and environmental management among others.
After launching the satellite, an information receiving station would be housed in the compound of Entoto Observatory and Research Center, so as to command, monitor and receive information from the satellite, he added.
This will assist to reduce the government’s spending on satellite information service, and enhance the country’s capacity and expertise in the sector, it was learnt.
NOV 23/2019
BY ZELALEM GIRMA
