The Zimbabwean government is embarking on an expansion of the country's space program, with plans to launch three additional satellites that will enhance earth observation capabilities and improve communications infrastructure.
This ambitious development follows the successful launch of ZimSat-1, Zimbabwe's first earth observation CubeSat, in November 2022. ZimSat-2, a more advanced earth observation satellite, is already in development and is scheduled for launch later this year.
Furthermore, the government has approved the development of two more satellites, currently in the initial stages of their creation.
Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube, revealed in an interview that Japan, which partnered with Zimbabwe in the development of the first satellite, will continue supporting the country's space program in the construction of the second satellite. Japan has also been providing training to Zimbabwean graduates in this field.
Mr. Painos Gweme, the coordinator of the Zimbabwe National Geospatial and Space Agency (ZINGSA), confirmed the progress of the program, stating that the agency is working on satellite manufacture, assembly, testing, and launch in collaboration with various partners. The aim is to establish local capacity for designing, manufacturing, and controlling satellites, as well as setting up ground stations.
ZimSat-2 is expected to have advanced technological features that will enhance Zimbabwe's earth observation capabilities. The satellite will provide scientific data on the country's current situation, with improved image resolution and more advanced sensors compared to its predecessor. The mission of these earth observation satellites is to monitor land use, land cover, and water quality, among other applications.
ZimSat-1, the first earth observation satellite, currently transmits data to the command centre at the Mazowe ground station. Since its launch, it has played a role in agricultural and mining mapping exercises. Equipped with a multi-spectral optical imager, ZimSat-1 captures images of the Earth's surface in multiple wavelengths, allowing for assessments of land cover, soil fertility, and water quality. It also features a red-green-blue colour optical imager for agricultural mapping purposes, aiding in crop health assessment, deforestation monitoring, and tracking changes in land use over time.
By expanding its space program, Zimbabwe aims to develop local skills, transfer technology, and ensure the continuity of landscape monitoring for the next two to four years. Currently, only a few African countries, such as South Africa, Egypt, Nigeria, and Morocco, have multiple satellites in orbit.
ZINGSA has been actively seeking partnerships to advance its space program. In November 2021, the agency signed a memorandum of understanding with Russia's space corporation, ROSCOSMOS, focusing on cooperation in earth remote sensing from space and specialist training for the space industry. A Zimbabwean delegation also visited various Russian rocket and space industry enterprises during their trip.
Zimbabwe launched ZINGSA in July 2018 with the goal of enhancing the country's capability to harness space technologies. With the expansion of the space program and the launch of additional satellites, Zimbabwe aims to further its scientific and technological advancements and contribute to various sectors, including agriculture, mining, and environmental monitoring.
