The University of Nairobi has been selected to host the Kenya Space Agency (KSA) Chair on Nanosatelite Development. UoN is among five other universities selected for this award which is to the tune of Kshs. 1 million for the duration of one year. The Research Chair will catalyze and promote research in Space Science and Technology.
KSA is mandated to promote, coordinate and regulate space related activities in the country. This will be achieved through promotion of research and innovations in space science, technology and respective applications as well as enhancing the regulatory framework. It will also spur Kenya’s competitiveness and positioning in playing a critical role in the regional and global space agenda.
Kenya’s first space satellite
On May 11, 2018, UoN deployed Kenya’s first space satellite into orbit. The pioneer satellite is christened 1st Kenya University Nano Satellite Precursor Flight (1KUNS-PF). It was successfully deployed from KIBO (a satellite deployment module at the International Space Station) from the Japan Space Agency (JAXA) Tsukuba Space Centre in Tokyo, Japan. Its payload consisted of two commercial cameras and experimental web audio upload and broadcast, which were capable of limited earth observation and audio broadcast.
1KUNS-PF was a result of scientific and technological collaboration between the University of Nairobi, School of Engineering, the KiboCube Team, the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA), the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), University of Rome (Italy), and the Kenya Space Agency.
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