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Rabat – Senegal has marked a historic milestone with the successful launch of its first satellite, GAINDESAT-1A, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye recently announced.
The satellite was launched at 6:46 p.m. GMT on Friday from US Vandenberg Air Force base in California, according to a statement made by Faye on social media platform X Friday evening.
“After five years of tireless work by our engineers and technicians, this advancement marks a major step towards our technological sovereignty. I would like to express my pride and gratitude to everyone who made this project possible,” Faye wrote on X.
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According to reports, GAINDESAT-1A was designed and manufactured by Senegalese engineers in collaboration with the French Space University Center of Montpellier (CSUM).
The satellite will primarily gather data for various state agencies, including the Directorate for Water Resource Management and Planning, to enhance the management of the country’s resources.
Meanwhile, it is also set to provide data for the National Civil Aviation and Meteorology Agency to improve weather forecasting and aviation safety.
In March this year, King Mohammed VI sent a message of congratulations to Faye following his election as president of Senegal.
In his message, King Mohammed VI acknowledged that the Senegalese people entrusted Faye with the responsibility of leading the nation by electing him in the first round.
The monarch also spotlighted the strong cultural and spiritual tradition that forms the basis of the relationship between Morocco and Senegal.
The launch of this new satellite opens new prospects for Senegal, both nationally and internationally, while positioning the country as a major player in Africa’s space sector.
According to Space Hubs Africa, as of 2022 the continent has launched 52 satellites — and the number has grown since then — with the majority of the leading countries being North African. With Senegal’s new feat, they have now put their country on the map when it comes to African feats in space.
