Kenya’s inaugural operational satellite was successfully launched into orbit by SpaceX from California, USA, as per images released by the US space company. The Kenyan Taifa-1, developed by local researchers, aims to provide vital data for agriculture and environmental monitoring to address the country’s ongoing historic drought.

This significant milestone has been lauded by the Kenyan Ministry of Defence and Kenya Space Agency as a boost to the nation’s budding space economy. The satellite’s high-quality earth observation data, obtained through its multispectral camera, is expected to aid in predicting crop yield and improving food security.

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This launch marks Kenya’s continued progress in the field of space exploration, with over 50 African satellites sent to space as of 2022, according to Space in Africa, a Nigerian company tracking African space programs. Egypt was the first African country to launch a satellite into space in 1998.