Successful launch of the country's first satellite

Senegalese President Bassiro Dioumaye Faye announced that Senegal has successfully placed its first satellite into orbit, considering this launch a major step towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. “Technological sovereignty” From the country. The GAINDESAT-1A satellite was launched at 6:56 p.m. GMT on Friday from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, as noted on social network X on Friday evening.

“This progress is the result of five years of hard work by our engineers and technicians, and represents a major step towards our technological supremacy. I would like to express my pride and gratitude to all those who made this project possible.books.

Data collection

According to public television RTS, the satellite was designed and manufactured by Senegalese engineers, in partnership with the French University Space Center in Montpellier (CSUM). According to RTS, a Falcon 9 rocket placed several satellites into orbit from the Vandenberg base, including GAINDESAT-1A.

This satellite will be specifically responsible for collecting data for various state agencies, including the Directorate of Water Resources Management and Planning, in order to better manage the country's resources. RTS adds that it will also collect data for the National Civil Aviation and Meteorology Agency to help improve weather forecasts and aviation safety.