TRL Space Rwanda, a subsidiary of Czech-based TRL Space, is leading an initiative to establish Africa’s first satellite and equatorial constellation hub. This effort has received significant acclaim, with the President of the Czech Republic, Petr Pavel, commending the initiative during his recent visit to the TRL Space office in Kigali, Rwanda.
On April 6, 2024, President Pavel visited TRL Space’s Rwanda branch and observed the transfer of knowledge and technology from the Czech-based mother company to its Rwandan counterpart. TRL Space is committed to developing indigenous capabilities for nano-satellite and equatorial constellation development in Rwanda, which will lay the foundation for a thriving African space ecosystem.
This visit is a significant milestone for Rwanda
The first step in this transformative journey is the development of a 6U Cubesat at the Rwandan branch in the upcoming months. This project will be supported by TRL Space, a Czech-based space company, in collaboration with the Rwandan Space Agency (RSA). This pioneering initiative represents a significant advancement for Rwanda, as TRL Space intends to establish a centre for constructing small satellites that will serve the entire African continent.
TRL Space is dedicated to bringing its expertise, development, and production capabilities to Rwanda in cooperation with the government, universities, and research organizations. The company plans to invest over USD 2 million in this innovative collaboration, underscoring its commitment to fostering a sustainable space ecosystem in Africa.
The first phase of the satellite mission has already begun, with a focus on supporting Rwandan agriculture. TRL Space aims to establish a complete constellation of satellites that will provide regular and sufficient imaging of the entire African continent. The initial satellite will be constructed through a collaboration between European and African engineers. Subsequent satellites will mainly be developed by TRL Space engineers based in Rwanda.
TRL Space has already started identifying and nurturing local talent through the CubeSat Makerthon, resulting in the recruitment of a diverse pool of skilled individuals from across Africa. The aim of this initiative is to foster a robust space community that will facilitate the establishment of Africa’s Satellite and Equatorial Constellation Hub in Rwanda.
During his visit to TRL Space Rwanda, the President of the Czech Republic observed the company’s commitment to promoting regional cooperation and enhancing capabilities. Serge Tuyihimbaze, who delivered the opening remarks, reiterated the sentiments of Rwandan President Paul Kagame, stating, ‘To achieve significant progress in a short amount of time, it is imperative that we work in unison.’ TRL Space has adopted collaboration as its core value, with the aim of collectively exploring the vast expanse of space.
Petr Kapoun, CEO of TRL Space, reiterated the company’s vision to introduce new space technologies that can improve the economic and living standards of the entire region, while not limiting their delivery to Rwanda alone.
During his visit, President Petr Pavel expressed his appreciation for TRL Space’s presence in Rwanda. The visit primarily focused on participating in events commemorating the 30th anniversary of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi. The President learned about the company’s projects, toured the facilities, and met with its employees. This highlights the importance of this pioneering initiative.
Based on an article by Mustapha Iderawumi africanews.space
