Tag: Africa
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Rwanda and Planet Labs Launch National Satellite Data Program for Government, Universities and Startups
The Government of Rwanda has partnered with Planet Labs to establish a national satellite data program that will provide near-daily Earth observation imagery to government agencies, public universities, selected startups and strategic development partners. Managed by the Rwanda Space Agency, the program is designed to make satellite imagery a more routine component of national decision-making,…
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Airtel Africa and Starlink Turn Direct-to-Device Connectivity Into a Commercial Network
The commercial launch of Starlink Mobile in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) marks a more important shift in satellite communications than the headline “Africa’s first commercial direct-to-device service” might suggest. On August 14, 2026, Airtel Africa and SpaceX began commercial Starlink Mobile operations in the DRC, allowing customers with compatible smartphones to connect…
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Thales Alenia Space to Build Software-Defined Eshail-3/Türksat-Biruni Satellite
Thales Alenia Space has secured a contract from Es’hailSat to build a new software-defined communications satellite that will expand broadband connectivity across Europe, Africa, Central Asia and the Middle East. Astronomy The satellite, named Eshail-3/Türksat-Biruni, will be jointly operated by Qatar-based Es’hailSat and Turkish satellite operator Türksat. Financial terms of the contract and a launch…
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Botswana to Join Artemis Accords as 68th Signatory
Botswana is set to become the 68th country to sign the Artemis Accords, joining the U.S.-led international framework that promotes peaceful and responsible civil space exploration. The signing ceremony will take place at NASA Headquarters in Washington, D.C., with Botswana’s Minister of Communications and Innovation, David Tshere, joining NASA Deputy Administrator Matt Anderson and U.S.…
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Spacecoin to Pilot Decentralized Satellite Internet in Africa and Southeast Asia
Space technology start-up Spacecoin said it has signed agreements to pilot satellite internet and connectivity services in four countries across Africa and Southeast Asia, as it seeks to advance a decentralized, blockchain-enabled satellite network aimed at underserved regions. The company said on Wednesday that pilot projects will be launched in Kenya, Nigeria, Indonesia and Cambodia.…
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Photos: Check out a ‘Ring of Fire’ eclipse over Africa, and get set for our turn
A series of images shows the progression of the Sept. 1 annular solar eclipse as seen from Reunion Island. (Credit: Slooh / Weathernews Japan) An annular solar eclipse swept across Africa today, treating skywatchers to a “Ring of Fire” eclipse and whetting appetites for next August’s all-American total eclipse. The eclipse occurred in the middle…