The Promise of Nanosatellites for Developing Nations
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In 2017 the Federal University of Technology in Nigeria launched the Nigeria-Edusat-1. The objectives for Nigeria were to increase their scope for space education, capture low- and high-res photographs of the country, and improve measurements of atmospheric density.
In 2018 the Cape Peninsula University of Technology in South Africa launched the ZACube-2. The objectives for South Africa were to monitor their natural resources and enhance communication services.
The nanosatellite launch rate is expected to continue to grow, signaling a move away from the elitist and unrestrainedly expensive routes that have been the mainstay of the industry. Developing nations will be able to capture a percentage of this continued growth, gaining access to space in the way that Nigeria and South Africa have been able to.