Zimbabwe steps up preparations to launch a third satellite as the country expands its space technology programme to strengthen earth observation and develop its own communication capabilities.
The planned launch was announced by Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development, Professor Fanuel Tagwira, at the African Association of Remote Sensing of the Environment (AARSE) International Conference, which opened in Harare, this Monday.
Prof Tagwira said Zimbabwe had made significant progress in space technology, moving from reliance on foreign satellite imagery to collecting data through its own satellites.
“In 1996, we were a user of other people’s images. In 2022, we launched ZimSat-1. People didn’t believe we could do it, but we did launch ZimSat-1, which was then followed by ZimSat-2.
“Today, the country receives data from its own satellites and is already working on launching ZimSat-3 or ZimCom-1, which is a communication satellite,” he said.
The planned launch is part of broader efforts to harness space technology for national development, particularly in agriculture, disaster management, environmental conservation and security.
The conference has brought together researchers, scientists and other experts from across Africa to discuss advances in remote sensing, geospatial technologies and the role of satellite data in socio-economic development.
Prof Tagwira said greater investment and collaboration among African countries were necessary to expand the continent’s space capabilities and maximise the benefits of Earth observation technologies.
He also highlighted the importance of the African Union’s Agenda 2063, the African Space Strategy and the establishment of the African Space Agency in coordinating continental efforts to advance space science and technology.
Despite progress in satellite development, Africa needs further investment to strengthen its space infrastructure, improve access to satellite data and expand the practical application of space technologies across key sectors.
University of Zimbabwe Vice-Chancellor, Professor Paul Mapfumo, said Earth observation and geoinformation technologies were becoming increasingly important in responding to changing climatic conditions and supporting evidence-based development planning.
“We can gather data from space and inform our communications and decision-making on critical policies that have a direct bearing on socio-economic development,” he said.
The AARSE conference is also expected to highlight opportunities for African countries to use satellite-derived information to improve planning, strengthen resilience to climate-related risks and support sustainable development.
