🎬Africa in Space

TECH
How space exploration is quickly becoming popular in Africa

African countries are taking on an extra hobby like a dual-income couple with no kids: space exploration. Thanks to a certain ‘musky’ African in particular, rocket launches are getting cheaper, pushing several smaller African countries to kickstart their space programs.

According to a report by McKinsey, the price of heavy launches to low-Earth orbit has fallen around 95% to just $1,500 per kilogram, with some estimates suggesting it could fall to as little as $100. So far, 17 African countries have put more than 60 satellites into orbit, with several others expecting their operations to begin in the coming months.

More than just a fancy item on the bucket list

Space-based products and services could play a “critical role” in meeting Africa’s sustainable development goals, according to UK think tank, Chatham House.

• Given the massive threat posed to the continent by climate change, space tech should be ‘used to monitor food and resources’ according to Space in Africa.

• The Kenyan Meteorological Department, satellites have proved invaluable in tracking dangerous weather conditions like dust storms.

Some experts have criticized such ambitions as distractions from meeting more basic needs, like access to clean water. The African Space Council insists “We are not in space to explore the cosmos… we are in space to improve our daily lives.”

Space X, of course. In August, Senegal’s first-ever satellite, the GaindeSAT-1A hitched a lift on Space X’s new launcher, the first African satellite to do so. Senegal’s president called it a big step towards “technological sovereignty”.

Who else is involved? China has helped launch satellites from several African countries, including Ethiopia and Egypt. The US meanwhile focuses on space as a ‘means to advance Africa toward its development goals’ — and counter China. -CU.

TRENDING
Yeezus Peezus

Adidas’ wildly expensive cautionary tale finally comes to a close: The activewear titan reached an out-of-court settlement with rapper Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, dissolving their disastrous partnership for good. The company lost $600m+ in sales when it paused the Yeezy shoe line following the artist’s 2022 antisemitic comments, opening up various lawsuits and leaving them sitting on a mountain of unsold inventory. In March, Adidas posted its first annual loss since 1992, but its numbers are getting, ahem, harder, better, faster, and stronger — its Q3 earnings, released on Tuesday, showed double-digit growth.

SHOWER THOUGHTS

NEWS
Round the continent

• One of the candidates in Ghana’s upcoming presidential elections, Akua Donkor has passed away.

• The Libyan Football Federation (LFF) is planning to take legal action to reverse the sanctions imposed after their Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Nigeria was canceled. They had to forfeit the game 0-3.

• Senegal’s Pastef Party has officially kicked off its campaign to compete for legislative majority during the country’s legislative elections on Nov. 17th. According to them, President Faye’s ability to keep his campaign promises is dependent on a win.

• Botswana’s Pres. Masisi is staring down a possible reelection after preliminary counts have revealed a lead in the country’s ongoing elections.