Southern African country Botswana is developing its first satellite, in a joint programme between the Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST) and Bulgarian space company EnduroSat. The satellite will be launched no earlier that February next year, on SpaceX’s Transporter-13 mission.

Designated BOTSAT-1, the satellite will be a 3U nanosatellite, meaning it will have dimensions of 30 cm x 10 cm x 10 cm. The transfer of technology and expertise is central to the project. Consequently, BIUST engineers will be joining the EnduroSat team in Sofia, Bulgaria, to complete satellite assembly and payload integration.

“EnduroSat has been an exceptional partner in our journey to launch Botswana’s first satellite,” affirmed BIUST Vice-Chancellor Professor Otlogetswe Totolo. “Their expertise and support have been invaluable, and we are excited about the progress we have made together. This partnership brings us closer to realising our shared vision and underscores the strength of our mutual commitment to advancing space technology in Botswana.”

BOTSAT-1 will be a software-defined satellite – that is, it will use advanced software to manage its operations, functions and capabilities. This will allow it to be easily upgraded or reconfigured, in space, by uploading new software. Its main sensor payload will be a hyperspectral imager, with a primary mission of providing data on soils and grounds, thereby directly benefitting the country’s agricultural and mining sectors, and aiding planning and investment decisions. BOTSAT-1 will be controlled from a facility at BIUST, using EnduroSat software.

“BIUST has an enormous potential for growth, and I am proud that they have chosen to partner with EnduroSat in this journey,” highlighted EnduroSat founder and CEO Raycho Raychev. “Their team is incredibly dedicated and focused on making a positive impact. The fact that their organisation has a long-term strategic growth vision, and that they are following it strictly, will enable them to build a formidable space programme.”

The BOTSAT-1 programme is only the start of collaboration between BIUST and EnduroSat. The two agencies will continue to work together to develop Botswana’s space skills and make the country a space hub. EnduroSat has so far delivered more than 50 nanosatellites and microsatellites to customers around the world. Its first satellite was launched in 2018.