Zambia Launches $14 Million Ground Receiving Station to Drive Development Through Space Data

President Hakainde Hichilema is soon expected to commission the Ground Receiving Station which has been built at the cost of US$14 million.
The Ground Receiving Station, which is now fully operational in Chibombo District, has already started receiving data from space and is being analysed by experts.
The Ground Receiving Station is a unit of the National Remote Sensing Center which is an institution under the Ministry of Technology and Science.
Technology and Science Minister Hon. Felix Mutati says tests have already been conducted successfully by experts and the facility is now in full operation.
Mr. Mutati said President Hichilema’s focus is on using technology to advance development in the country
Speaking after he toured the facility this afternoon in Chibombo, Mr. Mutati said the Ground Receiving Station will be crucial in helping policy makers and other experts plan for interventions in the health, agriculture, mining and other sectors.
The amount of data we are already receiving from space is amazing. It is making our experts from UNZA and CBU analyse and help us make informed decisions.
Hon. Felix Mutati, Technology and Science Minister, Zambia
The Technology and Science Minister added that the station will work in collaboration with Swedish and American partners, the Copperbelt University, the University of Zambia and other stakeholders abroad.
He said Zambia will not focus on sending it’s own satellite in space but will push for access to data from countries that already have satellites in the orbit.
Mr. Mutati said accessing data from space is crucial in finding solutions to the country’s many challenges.
By accessing data from space, we can know where the minerals are, we can predict the weather and know many things.
Hon. Felix Mutati, Technology and Science Minister, Zambia
And a visiting astronaut Christer Fuglesang says accessing data from space has potential to improve a country’s knowledge in many areas.
Professor Fuglesang, who was the first Swedish national to go to space under the European Space Agency, has encouraged Zambians to study space science as it is a beneficial subject to mankind.
Meanwhile, Deputy Head of Cooperation at the Swedish Embassy in Zambia Paula Engwall pledged the country’s support to Zambia in it’s efforts to have a thriving space program.
Ms. Engwall said the completion of the Ground Receiving Station is a major milestone which Zambia has scored in it’s development agenda.