Taifa-1: Kenya launches its first operational satellite into space

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Egypt , South Africa , Algeria , Nigeria and Morocco are the other African countries that have launched the most satellites since 2016.Designed by WashMillie pic.twitter.com/bDm0v1bb7L

Ysuf Aknpl. (AkinpeluYusuph) April 7, 2023

The observation satellite is fully designed and developed by Kenyan engineers and will be used to provide data on agriculture and food security, among other areas, a statement from the defence ministry and the Kenya Space Agency said.

The mission is an important milestone, the statement said, adding that it would contribute significantly to the countrys budding space economy.

An East African economic powerhouse, Kenya is suffering its worst drought in decades after five failed rain seasons.

The satellite launch adds to a push by African nations for scientific innovation and the development of space programmes.

Read also Starlink to launch in Kenya, what it means for competitors

The weather conditions did not improve by Friday, so the launch was postponed 28 seconds before liftoff and pushed to Saturday, April 15, at 944 am.

The satellite was built by a team of nine Kenya Space Agency (KSA) engineers, costing Ksh.50 million. (about 380,000).

The launch occurred at the United States Vandenberg Base in California aboard a Falcon9 rocket owned by Elon Musks Space X company.

Taifa1s launch was initially meant to take place on Tuesday, April 11, before being rescheduled to Friday, April 14, due to unbalanced weather conditions.