Kenya Launches First Satellite 1KUNS-PF, Developed by University of Nairobi

Kenya has joined the ranks of countries that have succeeded to launch a satellite into outer space dubbed the First Kenya University Nano Satellite-Precursor Flight (1KUNS-PF).

Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Monica Juma outlined that the development had been a collaborative effort between the University of Nairobi (UoN) as part of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) KiboCUBE Program. 

"Kenya is very proud to be associated and involved through TICAD VI in the development of the Satellite.

"We hope this is only a beginning of many collaborations and initiatives for Kenya under the KiboCUBE program," she stated.

[caption caption="Kenya's 1KUNS-PF satellite"][/caption]

The satellite was officially launched onto the International Space Station on Monday and will be deployed into space in May.

A team of developers selected from UoN and Japan handed over the historic invention in January at the JAXA Tsukuba Space Centre.

UNOOSA Director Simonetta Di Pippo at the time hailed the milestone and declatred the first [phase of the project to have been successful.

"This is a very exciting moment and an important step in UNOOSA’s movement towards tangible initiatives in our capacity-building efforts.

"Innovative projects like KiboCUBE can achieve concrete results and have a real impact on Space Science and Technology Development for the benefit of all," he stated.

The 1KUNS-PF Project ground stations will be installed at both the University of Nairobi and Broglio (formally San Marco) Space Center in Malindi.

[caption caption="Team that developed Keanya's 1KUNS-PF satellite"][/caption]