Modern Ground receiving station to be commissioned
By Mwila Nsofu
President HAKAINDE HICHILEMA is expected to Commission the Ground Receiving Station which has been built at a cost of US$14 million.
The Ground Receiving Station, which is now fully operational in Chibombo District, has already started receiving data from space and is being analysed by experts.
The Station is a unit of the National Remote Sensing Center which is an institution under the Ministry of Technology and Science.
Technology and Science Minister FELIX MUTATI says tests have already been conducted successfully by experts and the facility is now in full operation.
Speaking after he toured the facility this afternoon in Chibombo, Mr. MUTATI said the Ground Receiving Station will be crucial in helping policy makers and other experts plan for interventions in the health, agriculture, mining and other sectors.
The Technology and Science Minister added that the station will work in collaboration with Swedish and American partners, the Copperbelt University, the University of Zambia and other stakeholders abroad.
He said Zambia will not focus on sending its own satellite in space but will push for access to data from countries that already have satellites in the orbit.
And a visiting astronaut CHRISTER FUGLESANG said accessing data from space has potential to improve a country’s knowledge in many areas.
Professor FUGLESANG, who was the first Swedish national to go to space under the European Space Agency, has encouraged Zambians to study space science as it is a beneficial subject to mankind.
Meanwhile, Deputy Head of Cooperation at the Swedish Embassy in Zambia PAULA ENGWALL pledged the country’s support to Zambia in its efforts to have a thriving space programme.
