Kenya launched its first Earth observation satellite today, Saturday, aboard a SpaceX rocket from the United States, as shown in a live broadcast from Elon Musk's rocket manufacturing company.
Nine Kenyan engineers developed the satellite, which will collect agricultural and environmental data, including information on floods, droughts, and wildfires. Authorities plan to use this data for disaster management and to combat food insecurity.
The Kenyan Space Agency stated that the satellite's components were assembled with the help of the Bulgarian space company Indorosat at a cost of 50 million Kenyan shillings (approximately $372,000) over the course of two years.
The Falcon 9 rocket carrying the satellite, Tyvak-1, launched around 06:48 GMT from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, following three postponements due to inclement weather.
