06 Apr 2025

There is need to educate Batswana on how satellite data could contribute towards national development, particularly in agriculture, environmental conservation and disaster management.

Briefing Parliament recently, the Minister of Communications and Innovation Mr David Tshere said the recent successful launch of Botswana Satellite (BOTSAT 1)  on March 15, marked transformation step in Botswana’s journey to becoming a space-enabled nation.

“Our ministry pushes research and innovation, therefore it will be important to launch another satellite for consistency,” he said, adding that the ministry was planning for the design and eventual launch of the next satellite BOTSAT 2.

Additionally, Mr Tshere said the project had enhanced the country’s ability to make data-driven decisions in key sectors such as agriculture, environmental conservation, wildlife management, border security, urban planning and gauge the extent of drought.

“For years, we have relied on external satellite data, thereby limiting our ability to respond swiftly to nation’s challenges and needs,” he said.

Going forward, Minister Tshere said there was a need to establish a team to oversee the effective use of BOTSAT 1 data across government ministries, ensuring that space derived insights that benefit citizens. He said the Botswana Space Agency, would be a department that processed and packaged information from the satellite.

Mr Tshere said budget for establishing BOTSAT 1 was around P30 million and said his ministry had requested about P40.5 million for data storage and data processing. Mr Tshere said the satellite was equipped with a hyper spectral camera with over 120 spectral brands, which would provide valuable data for the national development. He said the expected lifespan of BOTSAT 1 was approximately five years, mainly due to factors such as orbit conditions and component degradation overtime.

“The satellite orbits the earth at an altitude of approximately 500-550km. The camera has image coverage per pass of approximately 32km,” he said.

He said his ministry was established to provide leadership and policy development, strategy and standards of communication, knowledge utilisation, research, science and technology. The ministry has collaborated with Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST) on the BOTSAT 1 project. 

He said BIUST played a critical role in the design, integration and testing of the satellite while the ministry provided strategic oversight and funding to ensure that Botswana’s space ambitions align with national priorities. Mr Tshere said the ground station at BIUST was meant to receive and process data in real time. Additionally, he said Botswana space engineers were also trained to join international experts in the assembly, integration and testing of the satellite at Endurosat in Bulgaria.

Commenting on the briefing, MP for Chobe, Mr Simasiku Mapulanga said for educational purposes, there should be a website where the public could access data collected by the satellite. Selebi Phikwe East MP, Mr Kgoberego Nkawana welcomed the satellite launch as a positive development. He asked the minister to be specific on when the proposed BOTSAT 2 would be launched. Specially Elected MP, Major General Pius Mokgware said the satellite would help with information to address challenges of climate change.

Responding to legislators’ comments and questions, Minister Tshere said the collected data had value and would be given at a fee. He said there would be no website to show what had been collected as some data was sensitive and the information would be delivered upon request. The minister said the satellite was for surveillance purposes such as detecting drought and other environmental challenges. ENDS