Ethiopia to start work on space launch vehicle,

domestically made satellites

The Arat Kilo Monument in the city centre of Addis Ababa,

the Ethiopian capital city. Photograph courtesy of Wikipedia.
The Ethiopian government announced on 3 January 2017 that it intends to build its own medium-sized
space launch vehicle (SLV) and develop the capabilities to domestically build satellites.

The Ethiopian Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) said that it will develop a medium-sized SLV
that should have its maiden launch within the next three years, according to MOST spokesperson
Wondwosen Andualem.

“Efforts are ongoing to launch into space a medium sized rocket within the coming three years,” said
Andualem.

Andualem also pointed out that Ethiopian capacity and capability to build its own satellites is increasing,
thanks in part to the partnerships forged by Ethiopia with foreign governments and companies. The
Ethiopian government has already stated that it seeks to develop and build satellites for the purposes of
national security, disaster management and response, and land management.

The MOST spokesperson confirmed that the Ethiopian government intends to build both the proposed
SLV and satellites locally with minimum reliance on foreign partners.

In order to facilitate Ethiopian space efforts, the government has created a Space Science Council, as
well as the Ethiopian Space Science and Technology Institute, both chaired by the Ethiopian Prime
Minister, Hailemariam Desalegn.
In November 2015, the Mekele Institute of Technology in Ethiopia launched a rocket called Alpha Meles
to an altitude of 30 kilometres. The Alpha Meles rocket is believed to cost U.S.$2.3 million to develop,
build, and launch, but there have been no reports of any subsequent launches of the rocket.

There are a number of reasons why Ethiopia’s space ambitions may not become reality, not least of
which are enduring political instability and a rapidly slowing economy. This said, however, space
programmes can be remarkably resilient in uncertain political and economic circumstances.

Should Addis Ababa manage to establish a practical space programme that can produce capabilities that
can improve Ethiopia’s national security and economic development prospects, then it will be the first
country in the Horn of Africa, and northeast Africa in general, to become a space power.

Should that transpire then it can be expected that countries such as Kenya, Uganda, Egypt, and perhaps
even Sudan, will look to accelerate their own space ambitions.

Original published at: http://spacewatchme.com/2017/01/ethiopia-start-work-space-launch-vehicle-

domestically-made-satellites/

Ethiopia and India Raise Prospect of Space

Cooperation

Image courtesy of NASA.

Ethiopia and India have raised the possibility of space cooperation with each other after a state visit to the
Horn of Africa country by Indian President Ram Nath Kovind on October 5-7, 2017.

The Ethiopian government announced in early 2017 that it intends to build its own medium-sized space
launch vehicle (SLV) and develop the capabilities to domestically build satellites. The Ethiopian Ministry
of Science and Technology (MOST) said that it will develop a medium-sized SLV that should have its
maiden launch within the next three years, according to MOST spokesperson Wondwosen Andualem.
Andualem also pointed out that Ethiopian capacity and capability to build its own satellites is increasing,
thanks in part to the partnerships forged by Ethiopia with foreign governments and companies. The
Ethiopian government has already stated that it seeks to develop and build satellites for the purposes of
national security, disaster management and response, and land management.

“With our space programmes to inspire us, the sky is the limit for India and Ethiopia literally,” said
President Kovind of India during his visit to Ethiopia.

The Ethiopian government, however, has indicated that it intends to build both the proposed SLV and
satellites locally with minimum reliance on foreign partners.

In order to facilitate Ethiopian space efforts, the government has created a Space Science Council, as
well as the Ethiopian Space Science and Technology Institute, both chaired by the Ethiopian Prime
Minister, Hailemariam Desalegn.

In November 2015, the Mekele Institute of Technology in Ethiopia launched a rocket called Alpha Meles
to an altitude of 30 kilometres. The Alpha Meles rocket is believed to cost U.S.$2.3 million to develop,
build, and launch, but there have been no reports of any subsequent launches of the rocket.

There are a number of reasons why Ethiopia’s space ambitions may not become reality, not least of
which are enduring political instability and a rapidly slowing economy. This said, however, space
programmes can be remarkably resilient in uncertain political and economic circumstances.

The prospect of Ethiopian-Indian space cooperation comes at a time of intense geopolitical competition in
the Horn of Africa among outside powers such as China, India, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and the United
Arab Emirates.

Original published at: https://spacewatchme.com/2017/10/ethiopia-india-raise-prospect-space-

cooperation/

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Establishment of ESSTI
The Establishment of Ethiopian Space Science and Technology Institute (ESSTI) and Council are Approved
On October 14, 2016, the Council of Ministers approved the Establishment of Ethiopian Space
Science and Technology Institute and Council, pursuant to article 5 and 39 of the Definition of
Powers and Duties of the Executive Organs of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
proclamation No. 916/2015.
The main objectives of Establishment of Ethiopian Space Science and Technology Institute(ESSTI)
are to enable the country to fully exploit multidimensional uses of space science and technologies; to
produce demand based knowledgeable, skilled and attitudinally matured professionals matured
professionals in the field of aerospace science that enable the country to become internationally
competitive in the sector; to develop and strengthen space science and technology infrastructures to
speed up space science and technology development in the country; and enable the country to be
robust contributor for the development of aerospace science and technology.
The Space Council will have power and duties to provide directions and leadership support by
evaluating space science policies, plans and strategies. It will also provide the necessary guidance
and support for the proper and timely implementation of the Space Science and Technology plans of
ESSTI.
The Approval of the ESSTI is one big step forward for the development of Ethiopian Space Science
activities that will give advantage for Ethiopia to be effective and extensive user of space science
and technology for its sustainable developments.

Mandate
The institute shall have the following power and duties:

1. Undertake research in areas of aerospace science and technology;

2. Formulate space policy and strategy consistent with the present and future needs of the country
and implement same upon approval by the government;
3. Prepare aerospace development plans of the country and implement same upon approval by
the government;
4. Support Aerospace science and related activities carried out at national level and regulate their
alignment with the national development needs;
5. Design, Produce and launch aerospace developmental activities;
6. Design strategies that ensure the fulfillment of man power with requisite quantity and quality of
the sector in an expeditious manner and following-up its implementation;
7. Establish research centers supporting capacity development of the country’s space science and
technology;
8. Support local manufacturing industries in order to produce various equipment to be utilize in
space development service;
9. Gather and compile information supporting aerospace development and carry on fact finding
missions;
10. Issue permit to persons desire to engage in space activities, control their operation, register
space objects and regulate in collaboration with other relevant organs overall aerospace
activities that emanate within and outside the country and operated in the country’s jurisdiction;
11. Works in cooperation with other concerned organs on space flight and activities that are related
with the country’s peace and security matters;
12. Establish and strengthen cooperation with institutions of the countries having similar objectives
and may provide support to the sector;
13. Sign international and regional agreements consists with the national interest and implement
same upon ratification;
14. Carryout other related activities necessary for the attainment of its objectives.