Botswana has officially joined the ranks of space-enabled nations following the successful launch of its first satellite, BOTSAT 1. The announcement was made by the Minister of Communications and Innovation, David Tshere, in a statement to Parliament, where he hailed the development as a transformative step in the country’s technological advancement.
Speaking before the National Assembly, Tshere highlighted the collaborative efforts that led to the historic achievement, citing close partnerships with the Ministry of Higher Education, led by Minister Prince Maele, and the Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST) in Palapye. “BIUST played a critical role in the design, integration, and testing of the satellite, while my Ministry provided strategic oversight and funding to ensure that Botswana’s space ambitions align with national priorities,” Tshere said.
The Minister noted that the satellite project is part of a broader mandate of the Ministry of Communications and Innovation to drive leadership, policy development, and the integration of science and technology in addressing national challenges. He emphasized the importance of collaboration with research institutions, both public and private, to create innovative solutions, adding that the Ministry of Higher Education had created a conducive environment for space-related research.
According to Tshere, the launch of BOTSAT 1 has elevated BIUST’s status as a hub for space science and engineering in the region, and the satellite’s data will significantly enhance Botswana’s capacity to make informed decisions in key sectors such as agriculture, environmental conservation, wildlife management, border security, urban planning, and drought assessment. “For years, we relied on external satellite data, which limited our ability to respond swiftly to national challenges,” he said.
The project required BIUST to build a dedicated ground station, develop satellite design infrastructure, and implement capacity-building programs. The ground station is now capable of receiving and processing data in real time. Botswana space engineers were also trained and involved in the assembly, integration, and testing of the satellite in collaboration with global experts at Endurosat in Bulgaria.
The Minister revealed that BOTSAT 1 was initially set to launch on March 3, 2025, from the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket. However, the launch faced delays due to scheduling conflicts and weather conditions. The satellite was eventually launched successfully on March 15, 2025, at 08:43 am Botswana time.
Equipped with a hyperspectral camera capable of capturing over 120 spectral bands, BOTSAT 1 is expected to serve the country for approximately five years. It orbits Earth at an altitude of 500–550 kilometers and follows a Sun-synchronous orbit, passing over Botswana six times a day. Each pass captures approximately 32 kilometers of surface imagery, enabling consistent and reliable earth observation during daylight.
Tshere noted that Africa currently lacks operational satellite launch facilities capable of launching satellites of BOTSAT 1’s category, underscoring the importance of international collaboration with aerospace companies such as SpaceX. He called for the establishment of a dedicated team to ensure the effective use of satellite data across government ministries and promote public awareness of the benefits of space technology.
He also announced plans to expand postgraduate training programs for scientists and engineers from BIUST, the University of Botswana, and the Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (BUAN) to strengthen the country’s space capabilities. Looking ahead, Tshere proposed the establishment of a Botswana Space Agency to consolidate and coordinate all space-related initiatives under one national entity.
