Space Industry in Africa is growing from year to year. African governments, realizing the socioeconomic benefits of the industry in terms of advancing agricultural activities, telecommunications, weather forecasting, disaster management, and many other gains, they are endeavoring to launch the program and amass the benefits of the industry.
Countries therefore, are devising space policies, establishing new institutions and allocating finances so as to equip institutions and at the same time develop their human capital. As a result over the past few years, some of the African nations have taken a bold move and in turn shown greater progresses in the industry. They have enabled to launch their own satellites.
To exemplify, including Nigeria and South Africa, which have launched several satellites- Algeria, Ghana, Egypt, Kenya and Morocco have launched their own satellites to space. On the other way, while Zimbabwe launched its space agency, Ivory Coast has begun working on its first satellites.
Ethiopia, as of those countries, enacting its national space policy and giving due emphasis to the industry is currently working to launch its first satellite into space in 2019.
To this effect, the country is working on it along with pertinent stakes to meet the set goal thereby support the continued growth in the country and prepare a structure to supervise space affairs while safeguarding its national security.
According to Dr. Solomon Belay Director General of the Ethiopian Space Science and Technology Institute (ESSTI) Ethiopia established the Space Science and Technology Council and Ethiopian Space Science Technology in 2016 so as to garner industry’s multidimensional benefits.
The Institute is working to enable the country fully exploit multidimensional uses of space science and technologies. And by sorting out thematic areas, it is undertaking activities in collaboration with partners. Apart from financing, the government is supporting the Institute in every possible to realize the set target, he added.
The Institute is working to build its internal capacity and develop human capital forging ties with local and international institutions. Concurrently, activities are underway to promote nation’s space science program in bid to create informed society towards astrology and space.
As to him, to capitalize on the skills, short term career trainings offer to professionals both locally and in abroad.Developed nations have over a century old space science history; Ethiopia who joins the space science sector late should work in setting priorities, Dr. Solomon underlined.
“We are well aware that every bit of advancement done by space science has a lot to do with almost every aspect of our daily life. So, nation should stick to the high quality of human capital development and be ready to spur in all parts of the economy in the years to come.”
Since Ethiopia has great opportunity in astrology owing to its topography coupled with the government’s high commitment and promising efforts recorded in equipping the sector with skilled human capital, the Institute is determined to build up experiences in organized fashion setting thematic areas, he reiterated.
He mentioned that his Institute is working in line with the framework of the international space science standards at all parameters of endeavors. “We are working with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), European, Russian as well Chinese Academy of Space Technology and space institutions in honing and supporting efficient professionals in short term trainings, as well as offering graduate and under graduate programs in the astrology, engineering and related field of studies.”
Likewise, in a bid to ensure well established system in the industry and let junior researchers and high schools’ students join the science in astrology; the Institute is undertaking activities to promote space science. The space science promotion activities is conducted in partnership with the Ethiopian Science Society and general education schools and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET)
In line with this, the Institute had conducted productive ‘Astro Bus Tours’ that covered some parts of Oromia, Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples’ and Amhara States.
In turn, many have shown interest to learn more about space science. This, hopefully, will lay a foundation to attract more students to the industry and lessen the burden of generating reliable human capital in the future, he added.
ESSTI is working with Chinese Academy of Space Technology in developing Ethiopia’s 71kg Multi-Spectral Remote Sensing Satellite ETRSS-1. Ethiopia has scheduled to launch ETRSS-1 into space before the end of 2019 and the Satellite is expected to monitor weather patterns for better agricultural planning, drought early warning, and forestry management.
The Ethiopian Herald, May 29/2-19
BY MENGISTEAB TESHOME
