Senegal places first satellite in space
Published: Saturday, Aug 17th 2024, 21:20
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The African state of Senegal has successfully placed its own satellite in space. Senegal's President Bassirou Diomaye Faye described the placement as a major step towards "technological sovereignty" for the West African country.
Diomaye Faye wrote on the short message platform X that the satellite, named Gaindesat-1A, was launched into space from California on Friday evening Swiss time. The satellite had been in development for five years.
According to the Senegalese public TV station RTS, Senegalese engineers worked together with experts from the French Space Center in Montpellier (CSUM) on the project. A Falcon 9 rocket launched the Senegalese satellite into space along with others.
Gaindesat-1A's main task is to provide data for various Senegalese administrative directorates. This involves better planning of the water supply, for example. The new satellite will also help with meteorology and air traffic safety.
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