The All Nations University College (ANUC) has begun moves to build Ghana’s Second Satellite dubbed Ghanasat-2 which will have a commercial mission to help solve most environmental challenges confronting the country.
Speaking to Starr News at the Sidelines of the 6th Annual International SSSTA 2017 Conference & Birds International Workshop ongoing in Koforidua and being participated by Space Technology experts from 20 countries on the theme “Fighting Galamsey from Space”, the President of ANUC, Dr. Samuel Donkor said the University has built the needed Human resource for the project hence with support from the government, Ghana’s second Satellite can be built and successfully launched to embark on commercial mission for the development of the state.
“The most important thing for any country is to develop the skills set so [with] the research we have done, we have managed to attain the necessary skills set and then in collaboration with KYUTECH, we believe that we are ready to build Ghana’s Second Satellite which will have commercial applications and this why we are holding this conference at this time.”
Mr. Donkor added “all the Experts from 20 countries are here, we will be discussing some of the pertinent issues facing the Ghanaian economy, then the government. Illegal mining is one of the headaches because our water bodies are being polluted so we are going to use satellite applications to solve those problems.”
On July 7, 2017, the University put Ghana on the World Map by launching Ghanasat-1 through Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) at altitude of 400 kilometers above the earth’s atmosphere aboard the Japan Kibo Deployment System.
The satellite is expected to undertake earth imaging of Ghana and broadcast national Anthem from Space to the amateur ground station at Campus of the University. Currently, the Satellite is in operation stage and will soon begin its mission.
The satellite was developed by three Alumni of All Nations University College (ANUC) in Koforidua who were part of the Birds Project undertaken by the Graduate School of Engineering of the Kyushu Institute of Technology in Japan (Kyutech).
The students are Mr Benjamin Bonsu, Mr Joseph Quansah and Mr Ernest Teye Matey.
The Birds Project is a cross-border interdisciplinary satellite project for non-space-faring countries, supported by Japan. It was participated by Ghana, Mongolia, Nigeria and Bangladesh.
The entire Project cost the University $250,000. The Principal Investigator of BIRDS Project also Director of the Laboratory of Spacecraft Environment Interaction Engineering, Kyutech in Japan, Prof. Mengu Cho, said Ghana must hold the momentum to be quick to build and launch the second Satellite for national development.
He said Education institutions alone cannot build the satellite considering the cost implication therefore the need for Ghana government to support ANUC to revolutionise space technology.
Source: Ghana/Starrfmonline.com/103.5FM/Kojo Ansah