Senegal Launches its First Satellite

Dakar – Sudanhorizon

Senegal has made a big leap in its technological development by successfully launching its first satellite. The Senegalese News Agency reported that the satellite, called (GAINDESAT), was launched from the Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, USA, yesterday, on Sunday, along with 115 other small satellites and space cubesats.

Senegalese President Bassiro Dioumaye announced the news in a tweet shared on the social networking site – X, saying: “Senegal is entering a new era with the successful launch of the first satellite.”

“GAINDESAT” was designed and manufactured by Senegalese engineers in collaboration with the Space Center at the University of Montpellier in France, and it was the result of five years of hard work by Senegalese engineers and technicians, indicating that it is an advance that represents a big step towards Senegal’s technological sovereignty.

Informed sources told the Sudanhorizon news website that this event represents Senegal’s entry into the world of space and opens new horizons for technological innovation and management of the country’s natural resources, making it the second French-speaking country to own a satellite after Djibouti.

The name of the satellite “GAINDESAT” is a collection of the first letters of the French words (Automated Management of Environmental Information and Data) and therefore its mission, according to the “Adakar” website, is to provide basic data to many Senegalese state agencies to benefit from in managing the country’s natural resources. Reliable data is the backbone of sound strategic planning for a bright future.