As the world’s poorest and least developed continent, it may come as no surprise that very few African countries own space programs. But what may surprise you is that one of its poorest yet most populous countries, Ethiopia, has managed to successfully launch one, a first for East Africa.

Sat on top of the towering Mount Entoto, near the capital Addis Ababa, the center so far consists of two telescopes sheltered within large dome structures. Switched on a few months ago, the observatory came with a $3 million price tag. Modest for space research that may be, but not for a poverty-stricken, resource-poor country ravaged by famine that spends, on average, about $25 per person on health services annually. And for a country receiving substantial help in the form of aid, such as from the UK’s Department for International Development, at first glance the endeavor may seem a colossal waste of money.

Certainly, members of the Ethiopian Space Science Society (ESSS) have had a hard time swaying the minds of officials that the skies are a worthy investment. But for the ESSS, it’s about substantially more than just a thirst for knowledge, and by no means is this an attempt to join the space race.

“Science is part of any development cycle. Without science and technology, nothing can be achieved,” said ESSS communications director Abinet Ezra, according to AFP-JIJI. “Our main priority is to inspire the young generation to be involved in science and technology.”

While the country may be on the receiving end of much-needed financial help, that is not to say this is a frivolous investment. In fact, the ESSS was actually funded by Ethiopian-Saudi entrepreneur Mohammed Alamoudi with the goal of building “a society with a highly developed scientific culture that enables Ethiopia to reap the benefits accruing from space science and technology.”

Still, there are many who believe the money would be better spent elsewhere, for example on food, healthcare and infrastructure. But there are immediate benefits to the center. The equipment negates the need for university students reading astrophysics to travel abroad for study, which is expensive. And ultimately, now that the program has backing from the relevant authorities, it is hoped that further on down the line a satellite will be launched with the purpose of improving communications and monitoring farmland, both of which would assist development.

“Being poor is not a boundary to start this program,” said Solomon Belay, director of the center and professor of astrophysics. “Engineering and sciences are important to transform our agriculture into industry.”

Source: http://www.iflscience.com/space/ethiopia-now-has-space-program

a "space program" actually means going into space, not just looking at it from building a cheap observatory...


it seems to be a colossal waste of money, but probably just a front for another nations spy program...

That's what author has wrote.

It is interesting, on one side it's good to see any progress but on the other side I wonder why they do that.
Who is behind that?.
They didn't give 2 much details.

Heartily agree. In fact, Africa's development (outside of oil rich) has been long delayed.

Africa is not poor

Yea it is good to see any progress, but many people ask at what cost?.

It's for the next gen. As someone said..'the poor will always be among'st us'.

it seems to be a good idea in the fact to teach children about sciences, but if they are dying from starvation, it doesn't seem to matter very much...


that 3 million dollars could be used to start a small hospital, or schools, maybe even some agricultural sciences to help feed themselves... but the elite don't really care about starving children...

Teach a man to fish. that's what it is all about.

Scientific assets can be grown for the long term.
If they don't do it now, the sacrifices i mean; all of Africa will go the Boko Haram way.

There is always "what if".

But this story did surprise me...

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3210213/Poverty-stricken-Ethiopia-launches-3million-space-programme-Astronomers-claim-scheme-country-technological-boost.html


300 million pounds from GB?...


i just can't see 3 million dollars building the "biggest" observatory in Africa...

something is weird there...

Yea something is weird there, something bigger is behind that, who will know. Maybe it's just one money wash program or they really think that this will help.

they may be starting with a pilot plant, training up the players before expanding to main plant.

i was quite surprised to read Daily Mail also stating India is also receiving aid from GB. There's always that cooperation between what is 'commonwealth nations', former colonies; & even after Independence, India stayed a member for a long time. (not so sure about it's significance now).

on the other hand, European institutions do 'outsource' their low tech satellite launches out to India. Given the small air-space, it makes sense for GB to leverage on Indian relationships for some of the missions.

On similar lines, Ethiopia makes great strategic sense

Who will know, we didn't think about that possibility.

If GB is assisting smaller economies with affordable space programs;
forming cooperatives and so on there's always a larger integrated plan.

GB may not be as large as USA, Russia or China but they have management expertise; after all as colonial masters they ruled an empire spanning what is half the planet.

Why throw out 'management'? In these days of mega large corporations, management has 'no color'.

Ethiopian Astronaut in training.

& the rope holding him down.