The launch will be witnessed by President Advocate Duma Boko, who arrived in United States of America on Sunday for a week-long working visit.T h e M i n i s t e r o f Communications and Innovation, Mr David Tshere, expressed enthusiasm about the upcoming launch in an interview. He stated that BOTSAT-1 r ep r es ent e d a sig n i f ica nt milestone in Botswana’s journey into space technology.

“We are here as the Botswana delegation to witness this launch, which will take place in Los Angeles, California, as we tap into SpaceX’s satellite capabilities,” Mr Tshere explained.

He noted that BOTSAT-1 would be launched aboard a SpaceX rocket, capable of accommodating a hyper-spectral camera payload at an altitude of approximately 600 kilometers.He said the satellite would orbit the earth continuously six times daily, transmitting and collecting data for various purposes.

In that regard, he explained that the launch takes place in California because back home and in the continent, there was no space pad with a capacity to launch a satellite of that magnitude.The satellite, he said, would communicate information that might be useful, tracking and monitoring warning signs in the event of disaster and many different uses.

Mr Tshere said the Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST) has set up a data facility or ground station that would be storing information from the satellite, and would be used to inform decision making.In future, he said the Ministry of Communications and Innovation intended to improve innovations in communication through the second satellite that would entail uper fast internet, among others.

Mr Tshere further said President Boko’s visit would further include holding high-level bilateral meetings and trade discussions aimed at attracting foreign direct investment, expanding markets for Botswana’s products and promoting the country as a tourist destination and safe space for investment.