It was to be recalled that a few weeks back Ethiopia launched its first satellite into space. The country has made the impossible possible and the unthinkable thinkable. Nobody had expected Ethiopians would materialize their dreams.
The Ethiopian Space Science and Technology Institute has passed through many ups and downs to reach where it is in the present day. Most of all, the launching of the satellite was one of the dominant headlines of most print and electronic media outlets of the world.
Likewise, all and sundry have been feeling on top of the world following the launching of the 70kg remote sensing satellite, which is designed by Ethiopian and Chinese engineers. The satellite that would operate from the space around 700 kilometers above the surface of the earth is expected to play a major role in agriculture, climate, mining, environmental observations, and other related aspects.
The satellite has been the taking point of all Ethiopians irrespective of age, sexual category, religious affiliation, political point of view and whatnot. During the launching ceremony, Deputy Prime Minister Demeke Mekonnen and other senior government officials were gathered around at the Entoto Observatory and Research Center to watch a live broadcast of the satellite’s launch.
No one can deny the fact that Ethiopians living in and out of Ethiopia are expressing their infinite happiness in various ways. Hence, The Ethiopian Herald approached scholars residing in different parts of the world to have their feelings, ideas and thoughts concerning the launching of the satellite.
As per Dr. Moha F. Jire, a senior Ethiopia journalist widely known for her continental humanity works, there is no gainsaying the fact that Ethiopian scientists, intellectuals and scholars have paid time, energy and hope of proposing to the government, the possibility of utilizing the great landscape, and the government has put in place all the legalities needed to practice invested researches for over 10 years.
“I hope to see the launch of the second satellite to take place in my motherland. If truth be told, this will not take a long time. It only needs the commitment and dedication of stakeholders.”
To the best of my knowledge, if pertinent bodies work by the sweat of their brow every so often, they can achieve the desired goal as swiftly as possible without a shred of a doubt.
Dr. Jire recalls currently, how challenging and seemingly a daydream it was to launch a satellite in early days of 2004. She adds, there is no doubt about “good things happen to those, who are dedicated and try harder with a solid vision”
Regardless of the pride and celebrations, I recommend “the authorities to think on how to develop and look into total ownership while cooperating with those countries who are more into developmental aids.”
She stressed that as the western superpowers are around and ready to assist, we need to ask for help to train Ethiopians who are capable to get trained and do the job proudly. We are fortunate to have a command and control center at the Entoto Observatory and Space Science Research Center (EORC) in Ethiopia.
She called on Ethiopians to stay united, hopeful, and forgiving one another, as history of patterns shows.
She continued, “While on the subject, there is an upcoming election. If the country is peaceful and stable, then it will be a good time to change the old structure pouring cold water on the reform surfacing in every nook and cranny of the country.”
Otherwise, it will be a barrier to hold elections and we will be stuck in the mud of the highest level of madness and keep burning unnecessary religious centers, killing one another without understanding the reasons of killing an innocent human being.
Dr. Moha Jire had previously worked with the African Union, USA special envoy for African affairs, the UN and the EU, and she is known for being a hardliner, regarding African pride and its solid developments.
Fantahun Biruk is an Ethiopian diaspora living and working in the United States of America. He said concerning the issue, “Though most people know the fact that Ethiopia is heading in the right direction, they did not imagine the country would launch its first satellite into space. This is the beginning. To tell the truth, when I heard the news of the launching of the satellite, I could not believe my ears. The whole thing was beyond my imagination.
“We joined the space world that was considered the only asset of developed countries. I do hope as stated by some sources, Ethiopia will bring into play the launched satellite for various purposes. This is a great achievement for the country. As time goes by, Ethiopia for sure will play a part in various development activities that would take the country to a new episode,” he added.
“Ethiopia has become one of the countries in the world that possesses satellite for a wide range of purposes,” he wrapped up.
Mulu Tesfaye lives in Canada. She said for her part, “The satellite is making history in the space. Having passed through many ups and downs, we have accomplished something the next generation will remember us now and then. I hope we will keep on making history in various sectors time and again and passing them down to the next generation.
Having a satellite in the space would help us advance our meteorology, agriculture, climate, mining, environmental observations and what have you. Above and beyond, the launching of the satellite would play a major role in saving dollars.
“We were paying too much money for satellite rent. Moreover, our data was going through other countries’ networks. Thus, the country’s confidential information was at risk for so more than a few years. I hope Ethiopia will use the satellite and space wisely. We as a country deserve to have share in the space,” she concluded.
The Ethiopian Herald January 10, 2020
BY ADDISALEM MULAT
