India Eyes Big Business with Africa in Space Exploration – Sputnik International

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20:52 07.08.2017(updated 20:55 07.08.2017) Get short URL

The recent foray of Ghana into space exploration provides immense business opportunities for the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), which boasts the most cost-effective launch vehicle.

New Delhi (Spuntik) Ghana recently launched its first ever satellite, GhanaSat-1, fromNASA's International Space Station. A group ofstudents atGhana's All Nations University (ANU) built the satellite, which weighs about1 kg and will orbit 400kms abovethe earth. Launched last month, it will help Ghana tomonitor its coastline aswell ashelp other activities toboost e-governance.

AFP 2017/ ALEXANDER KLEIN

The ground station atthe ANU's laboratory is awaiting first signals fromthe satellite. The $500,000 project that began in2015 has the support ofthe Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency.

"The launch will help us train the upcoming generation onhow toapply satellites indifferent activities aroundour region. For instance, [monitoring] illegal mining is one ofthe things we are looking toaccomplish," the BBC quoted Richard Damoah, director ofthe Space Systems Technology Laboratory atthe ANU, assaying.

Ghana is now reportedly planning tolaunch GhanSat 2 intothe space, equipping it withbetter cameras and using it formonitoring deforestation and the usage ofwater inthe country.

ISRO, which created history bylaunching more than100 satellites earlier this year, sees immense business opportunities insuch endeavors byAfrican countries, according toexperts.

"ISRO definitely aims tocommercially tap the multi-billion dollar global space market aswell, which will grow only asnations realise the usefulness ofsatellites forEarth observation, telecommunications and a host ofother objectives. When it comes tosatellite launches, ISRO has a distinct advantage asit could deliver it ina cost-effective way asseen duringthe launch of104 satellites inFebruary earlier this year," Dr Mayank Vahia, scientist inthe department ofAstronomy and Astrophysics atthe Mumbai-based TATA Institute ofFundamental Research, told Sputnik.

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India Eyes Big Business with Africa in Space Exploration - Sputnik International