The Luigi Broglio Space Centre in Malindi, Kenya, will resume its role in launching Earth Observation satellites in a few years said Italy’s Minister of Enterprise and Made in Italy, Adolfo Urso. The space centre was in use from 1964 until 1988, facilitating 27 launches through its San-Marco launch platform. Located near the equator with an eastward-facing launch trajectory make it ideal for placing satellites into low-inclination orbits.
The space centre will be used to launch low-orbit microsatellites for Earth observation, particularly for climate change phenomena such as desertification. It will also be used to build capacity and train Kenyan students, industry experts and scientists. The space centre’s relaunch is expected to take place in a few years and is a shared goal for both the Italian and Kenyan governments. This initiative will be part of Italy’s Mattei Plan, a development programme to support African countries.
The centre’s relaunch is expected to bolster Kenya’s space sector, giving it the advantage of having one of Africa’s spaceports. It would also provide the government and private sector with a more affordable and convenient option for launching satellites domestically.
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