Growing African Space Collaborations

Senegal joins China’s ILRS moon project

The Senegalese Space Study Agency signed an agreement with the China National Space Administration to join the China-led International Lunar Research Station at the Second International Conference on Deep Space Exploration opening ceremony in Anhui, China.

Starlink now operational in Zimbabwe

Starlink, SpaceX’s Low-Earth Orbit satellite internet service, is now operational in Zimbabwe following the presidential authorisation in May 2024.

AMN announces a 45% increase in traffic after deploying Starlink’s LEO constellation

AMN has announced the successful integration of the Starlink satellite network to provide internet connectivity to over 100 of its rural base stations in Nigeria. This has resulted in a 45% increase in traffic across the AMN sites.

The next chapter in the Nigerian space programme: insights from NASRDA’s leadership

Appointed in May 2024, Dr Matthew Olumide Adepoju, the new Director General of the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), discusses his vision for Nigeria’s space programme and the key initiatives he plans to implement to transform the country’s space sector in this interview.

China’s role in developing Africa’s meteorology through Fengyun satellites

In light of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation last week, this article discusses how integral meteorological collaborations have been to the cooperation between China and Africa and how future cooperations could enhance Africa’s meteorological capabilities.

SKAO partners with SARAO and AfAS to promote human capacity development in African astronomy

At the recent International Astronomical Union General Assembly, the SKAO signed an MoU with the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory and AfAS on initiatives focused on human capital development over the next five years.

Kenya becomes the third African country to install the TART

Following a training workshop at the Technical University of Kenya hosted by the KSA, in collaboration with SARAO and the Electronic Research Foundation of New Zealand, Kenya recently installed the Transient Array Radio Telescope in Nairobi, enhancing its radio astronomy capabilities.

SANSA and AGEOS partner to boost Africa’s space capabilities

The South African National Space Agency and the Gabonese Agency for Space Studies and Observations are partnering to enhance Africa’s space capabilities and develop advanced ground station infrastructure in Gabon.

2024 New Space Horizons Conference: strengthening Africa-Middle East collaboration in space

The Egyptian Space Agency hosted the 2024 New Space Horizons Conference for Africa and the Middle East yesterday to discuss strategies for strengthening ties and enhancing collaboration between the African and Middle Eastern space communities.

Call to host the AfAS conference 2026

The African Astronomical Society has called for bids from interested African institutions to host the AfAS Annual Conference in 2026. The event will offer a unique opportunity for institutions across Africa to contribute to the advancement of astronomy by hosting a key community gathering and showcasing their institutions to a global audience.

Participate in the 16th EUMETSAT user forum to take place in Benin

The 16th EUMETSAT User Forum in Africa will be held from September 16 to 20, 2024, in Cotonou, Benin. EUMETSAT invites African stakeholders to participate in dialogue between itself and the African user community.