After ten years of gestation The African space agency was born (Afsa), the Second regional space agency in the world after that European: brings together the 55 Member countries of the African Union with the aim of coordinate and realize the spatial ambitions of the continent. His headquarters is al Cairoin Egypt, which was the first African country to launch a satellite in 1998. Since then, 18 African countries have launched another 63 satellites and many African nations have implemented their space programs.
“The institution of the African space agency is a real milestone for the continent and marks a important step forward for the African space strategy“, commented the general manager of the European Space Agency, Josef Aschbacher.
“ESA is proud to collaborate with this new regional space agency,” added the director of the internal services of ESA, Marco Ferrazzani, intervening at the inauguration in Cairo. “The collaboration with Africa dates back to three decades ago and today the ESA also manages a dedicated initiative, EOAFRICA. With the Afsa, this cooperation will reach a higher level”. THE‘ESA ha signed a Memorandum in agreement with the Afsa that will support the implementation of the EU-Africa Space Partnership program aimed at strengthening the links between Europe and Africa and to encourage the use of spatial technologies by public and commercial operators. Since Africa is severely affected by climate change, the specific goal is to improve alert systems early for extreme weather events or difficulties related to the climate. In a further project co -financed by the European Union, ESA already collaborates with the African space sector in the implementation of a system of satellite enhancement for the Air traffic control. ESA is also ready to collaborate in further bilateral activities.
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