A report by Bulawayo24 News shows that Zimbabwe hit a minor roadblock in an attempt to get a second satellite in space by May. Instead, the Southern African country will have the satellite: ZimSat-2 in space by November 2024. The satellite aims to enhance its data and space technology capabilities.
According to the report, the new satellite will be fitted with cutting-edge sensors and imaging tools to facilitate uses including environmental hazard monitoring, mineral prospecting, drought management, and human settlements.
The Zimbabwe National Geospatial and Space Agency (ZINGSA) is wrapping up technical preparations, according to Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science, and Technology Development Professor Amon Murwira, who affirmed that the nation is ready for the launch.
As relayed by Mr. Painos Gweme the coordinator of ZINGSA, the delay was a result of the primary payload not being ready, which pushed the launch window to November after missing the June-August window.
Currently, there has been success in the pre-launch tests for ZimSat-2 as the satellite is scheduled for its ideal launch window in November.
Zimbabwe plans to launch three more earth observation satellites in the future, adding to the capabilities of its first satellite, ZimSat-1, which launched in November 2022.
ZimSat-1 is presently used to monitor drought conditions, mining mapping, and other data-driven operations from the Mazowe Ground Station. The government sees these space endeavors as critical to the country’s modernization and manufacturing ambitions.
