Space activities in Ethiopia

Paper number

IAC-16,E5,5,4,x32392

Coauthor

Mr. Nebiyu Mohammed, Ethiopia

Year

2016

Abstract

Ethiopia is growing as the year go by reaching out to many young Ethiopian who want to pursue their career in space science related area and the community at large. Many activities have been made by the government and international organizations like Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC). Since 2004, the establishment of Ethiopian Space science Society (ESSS) and the introduction of astronomy program in 2007 leads to the gradual change of the society and the government view towards space science for country development. In doing so ESSS have laid down infrastructure for establishment of research centers and observatories and making collaboration and links with local and international bodies working in the field. The project opened a window of hope for the young professionals and interested youth to peruse their dreams. Nowadays, we are conducting site tests for a large optical and radio telescope on the mountains around  in the north of the country. 
 A space program seems luxury for the very poor country Ethiopia, but a key to securing food, increasing the productivity of agriculture, vegetation and developing scientific thinking. In our country Space technology like satellites, for instance, are used for environmental and water management, and soil assessment. So a space program is a key instrument for sustainable development. That’s why we are now engaged to launch our own small satellite (CubeSat) which is set to become the first communication satellite by an Ethiopian institution to be designed, constructed & launched to space.
Many events have been held by International organization like world space week by United Nations, the East Africa Astronomy workshop in cooperation with ESSS. The General Assembly declares 4 to 10 October World Space Week to celebrate each year at the international level the contributions of space science and technology to the betterment of the human condition. Ethiopia hosts East Africa Astronomy workshop about once in about 4 years which provided a lively, stimulating forum for presenting and discussing new results, exchanging ideas about  in the Astronomy and space science field.
SGAC Ethiopia focus in popularizing space science and astronomy in the country and, attract and develop as many young professionals as possible by providing access to basic astronomy and space science education . SGAC has been involving by presenting High  School  Astronomy Training, posting astronomical news in social medias ,and hosting events like Yuri’s Night  and Star gazing in Addis Ababa ,Ethiopia .

Abstract document

IAC-16,E5,5,4,x32392.brief.pdf

Manuscript document

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