BY DARGIE KAHSAY
ADDIS ABABA – Ethiopia celebrated its first national Space Day on Sunday in commemoration of the first-year anniversary of successfully launching its first satellite into space.
Ethiopian Space Science and Technology Institute (ESSTI) has also announced that from now on, December 20 will be celebrated as Ethiopian Space Day.
During the celebration, ESSTI Director-General Abdisa Yilma said Ethiopia marks the day to commemorate the successful launching of ETRSS-1, Ethiopia’s first satellite launched on 20 December 2019.
According to Abdisa, “20 December 2019 was a historic day for Ethiopia as it gave proof to the fact that it is possible to have a space sector in the country. “During its first year at space, ETRSS-1 has been successful in accomplishing its mission,” he said.
Abdisa noted that in addition to its function of providing data for different purposes, ETRSS-1 plays a crucial role in knowledge, skill and technology transfer. ETRSS-1 is full operating by Ethiopian professionals, he added.
Developing further skills from ETRSS-1, the institute is focusing on next projects of satellite manufacturing, assembly, integration and texting (M-AIT), communication satellite feasibility study and building ground station satellite, it was learnt.
Meanwhile, Abdisa stated that the country has finalized all preparations to launch its second remote sensing satellite, ETRSS-2, which is higher in resolution than ETRSS-1.
ETRSS-2 was planned to be launched on Sunday 20 December 2020 from China. But due to unfavorable weather condition, the launching was cancelled and will be held in the coming days, he added.
The Director-General pointed out that developing the second remote sensing satellite was started six months ago after the successful launching of ETRSS-1collaborating with Chinese Company, Beijing Smart Satellite.
During the event, ESSTI signs memorandum of understanding (MoU) with eight local institutions to work together for space science development, data sharing, joint resource mobilization.
The Ethiopian herald December 22/2020
