In a landmark moment for the nation, Botswana has officially entered the space age with the successful launch of its first satellite, aptly named BOTSAT-1. The momentous event took place on Saturday, March 15, 2025, at the Vandenberg Space Force Base in the United States.
Riding aboard SpaceX's powerful Falcon 9 rocket as part of the Transporter-13 rideshare mission, BOTSAT-1 ascended into the cosmos at 06:39 am GMT. This mission was a busy one for SpaceX, with the Falcon 9 carrying a total of 74 satellites, including BOTSAT-1, 26 other satellites for the Transporter-13 program, NASA's trio of CubeSats for the Electrojet Zeeman Imaging Explorer (EZIE) mission, and Arvaker 1, the inaugural microsatellite for Kongsberg NanoAvionics’ N3X constellation.
BOTSAT-1 is a sophisticated 3U hyperspectral Earth Observation satellite. It was a collaborative effort, primarily developed by engineers and researchers at the Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST) in partnership with EnduroSat, the satellite's lead manufacturer. The intricate launch process was managed by ExoLaunch, who partnered with SpaceX as part of the Transporter missions, a program designed for small satellite rideshares.
The launch was a significant occasion, attended by Botswana’s President, Duma Gideon Boko, who was on a working visit to the United States. He was accompanied by BIUST Vice Chancellor Professor Totolo and other high-ranking government officials, underscoring the national importance of this achievement. During his visit, President Boko also toured SpaceX’s Rocket Production and Starlink Mini Production Facilities, hinting at potential future collaborations between Botswana and the pioneering space company.
The successful deployment of BOTSAT-1 signifies a major leap forward in Botswana's technological capabilities. This first foray into space will allow the nation to directly leverage satellite technology for its national development. The satellite is designed to orbit at an altitude of approximately 500 kilometers in a near-polar and sun-synchronous path. From this vantage point, BOTSAT-1 will gather crucial Earth Observation data vital for addressing key national priorities such as enhancing food security, monitoring and conserving the environment, and aiding in urban planning initiatives.
Beyond the immediate data acquisition benefits, the BOTSAT-1 project has also fostered significant Human Capacity Development (HCD) within Botswana. The nation's engineers have gained invaluable practical skills throughout the satellite's development lifecycle. This hands-on experience will be instrumental in strengthening Botswana's technical expertise and paves the way for future space endeavors, including the already planned BOTSAT-2, whose specifications are currently under development.
BOTSAT-1 will transmit the data it collects back to Earth through a fully operational ground station established at BIUST. The satellite is designed to systematically scan Botswana from east to west, covering a wide area of approximately 32 kilometers with a detailed resolution of 12 meters.
The journey to this launch began in 2020, with the satellite undergoing rigorous development stages. It successfully completed its Assembly, Integration and Testing (AIT) phase in September 2024, marking the final critical step before its shipment to the launch site.
With the launch of BOTSAT-1, Africa’s total number of satellites launched now stands at 65. Botswana joins a growing cohort of 10 other African nations that are already utilizing Earth Observation satellites to tackle pressing regional challenges in areas such as agriculture, resource management, and disaster preparedness. The story is from Space in Africa.