Senegal has made its debut in space exploration with the launch of its first satellite, Gaindesat. The satellite was successfully launched at 6:46 p.m. GMT on Friday from the Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, USA, in collaboration with SpaceX.
“After five years of hard work by our engineers and technicians, this achievement marks a significant step toward our technological sovereignty. I wish to express my pride and gratitude to all those who made this project possible,” President Bassirou Diomaye Faye wrote on X following the launch.
Gaindesat, Senegal’s first satellite, was developed by Senegalese engineers in collaboration with the Montpelier University Space Center (CSUM).
The satellite is set to gather critical data for various state agencies, including the Directorate of Water Resource Management and Planning (DGPRE) and the National Agency for Civil Aviation and Meteorology (ANACIM).
Officials have highlighted that Gaindesat will play a key role in managing water resources, improving weather forecasts, ensuring aviation safety, and monitoring climate changes.
With this achievement, Senegal becomes the second sub-Saharan Francophone country to launch a satellite, following Djibouti. This milestone underscores Africa’s growing capabilities in space exploration and reaffirms Senegal’s commitment to scientific innovation.
The satellite’s launch is expected to enhance Senegal’s presence in the global space industry and inspire other African nations to pursue advancements in this field.
The global space economy is valued at approximately $469 billion. Africa’s space industry, which was valued at $19.49 billion in 2021, is projected to grow to $22.64 billion by 2026. As of 2022, African countries have launched 52 satellites, with plans to significantly increase this number in the coming years, according to Space Hubs Africa.
