- Botswana’s first satellite has completed assembly, integration and testing phase
- BOTSAT 1 now on pace for official launch with BIUST in February 2025
BONGANI MALUNGA
Botswana’s first satellite (BOTSAT-1) has completed its first major preparatory phase.
The Bulgarian satellite manufacturer developing BOTSAT 1, EnduroSat, has successfully undertaken the assembly, integration and testing (AIT) phase to ensure that the satellite is ready for launch.
EnduroSat is developing the satellite in collaboration with the Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST).
BIUST contingent
The Bulgarian satellite manufacturing company has confirmed completion of the AIT phase on its social media platforms, saying it will work closely with engineers from BIUST during the testing process.
The BIUST contingent travelled to the Bulgarian capital, Sofia, to participate in the monumental preparatory exercise.
Online space-related publication, Space in Africa, also confirmed the completion of the testing phase last week. According to the publication, the completion of the AIT will enhance the chances of the launch of the satellite to be done in early 2025 as first expected.
First-hand experience
The completion of the testing phase follows a review and final inspection that was done to tick all the boxes of the technical and operational capabilities of the satellite.
EnduroSat has enabled BIUST engineers to play an active supporting role in developing Botswana’s first satellite. The engineers are gaining first-hand experience from the assembly to the final completion.
Both parties believe that the cooperation will be beneficial to BIUST if the institution harbours any ambitions of launching independent satellite missions in the future.
Tech features
BOTSAT-1 will use EnduroSat’s Space Ops software, which is equipped with live technological updates to reduce reliance on manual work. Once fully operational, the satellite will provide Botswana with data to support mining and agricultural industries.
The technology of the satellite dissects soil composition and ground conditions to make informed conclusions that will aid in agricultural and mining projects.
When BIUST and EnduroSat first announced their partnership, they also revealed that their union would go beyond the current BOTSAT-1 operation.
As Botswana aims to enter the space technology market, the country is expected to leverage on its collaboration with the seasoned Bulgarian satellite manufacturers.