Botswana has successfully launched its first satellite, BOTSAT-1, marking its entry into the growing list of African nations leveraging space technology.
The satellite was sent into orbit last week aboard a SpaceX rocket in California, as Botswana currently lacks a domestic launch facility. President Duma Boko, who attended the event, highlighted the satellite’s role in supporting environmental monitoring, agriculture, disaster response, and urban planning, positioning Botswana as an emerging player in space technology.
Developed by engineers from the Botswana International University of Science and Technology, BOTSAT-1 is equipped with a hyperspectral camera and will orbit the Earth six times daily at approximately 600 km altitude, transmitting high-resolution data. A dedicated ground station has been set up to receive and store its information.
The Botswana government has also hinted at plans for a second satellite, though details remain undisclosed.
