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Ghana launches first space satellite into orbit

Ghana made history on Friday after launching it first ever satellite into space. The GhanaSat-1 was developed by the All Nation's University College.

The launched happened in the US state of Florida on the June 3, 2017.

It was released to start its operation in orbit on June7, 2017.

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The GhanaSat-1 was developed by students at the All Nation’s University College (ANUC) in the Eastern Region with support from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).

Costing $500,000, the satellite will be used to monitor the nation’s coastline for mapping purposes, and to build capacity in space science and technology, the technical engineer of the GhanaSat-1 satellite, Ernest Martey, told Radio Ghana.

Hundreds of students gathered on the ANUC campus to witness the launch.

Project coordinator, Dr Richard Damoah, says it will open the door for other space activities.

He told the BBC that it could be used in the monitoring of illegal mining.

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He said: “It has opened the door for us to do a lot of activities from space.

“[It would] also help us train the upcoming generation on how to apply satellites in different activities around our region.

“For instance, [monitoring] illegal mining is one of the things we are looking to accomplish.”

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