TRL Space Rwanda, a branch of Czech-based space company, has announced plans to invest in strengthening local capabilities for the development of nanosatellite technology, particularly focusing on constellations orbiting near the equator.

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According to the official statement, the company in collaboration with the Rwanda Space Agency (RSA) will begin with the development of the first miniature satellite called 6U Cubesat and establish a center for building small satellites for the entire African continent.

This could position Rwanda as a player in the growing field of small satellites and space exploration.

With an investment of $2 million (approximately Rwf2.6 billion), the first phase of the satellite mission, which will be exclusively used for the agriculture sector in Rwanda, has already begun.

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"The goal is to create a complete constellation of satellites that will ensure regular and sufficient imaging of the entire continent. While the first satellite will be built by engineers from Europe and Africa working together, future satellites will primarily be developed by TRL Space engineers in Rwanda,” the statement reads in part.

It further said that the company has already identified a pool of talent from across Africa through a hackathon and they will contribute to the establishment of Africa’s Satellite and Equatorial Constellation Hub in Rwanda.

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"Our intention is not just to deliver these technologies to Rwanda. We bring added value to the region. Our goal is to introduce new space technologies that increase the economic and living standards of the entire region,” Petr Kapoun, TRL Space CEO, said.

According to Serge Tuyihimbaze, Chief Operations Officer at TRL Space Rwanda, the company will build on a collaboration basis to explore the depths of space while working closely with the government, universities, and research organizations.

In 2020, the government established Rwanda Space Agency (RSA) to coordinate all space activities in the country with a mission to develop the country’s space sector towards socio-economic development, using space-based technologies and applications.

Rwanda continues to make strides with its ambition of creating a vibrant space ecosystem shaped by cooperation with different nations and prominent institutions to help develop its space capabilities in the use of geospatial data, in the design, and manufacturing of satellites.

Satellite data provides useful information that can be applied in key sectors of the country such as agriculture, mining, and disaster management, among others.