Ethiopia successfully launched the first satellite

ETRSS-1 satellite was put into orbit on December 20, marking a historic milestone in Ethiopia's space science development effort.

High-ranking officials and large crowds gathered at the Entoto Research and Observation Center north of the capital Addis Ababa early in the morning to watch the live broadcast of the ETRSS-1 satellite launch from a launch pad in China. This is the first Ethiopian satellite to be put into orbit.

ETRSS-1 satellite was launched from China.

"This event is the basis for our historic journey towards prosperity," Deputy Prime Minister Demeke Mekonnen told television. "Space is a food, a space to create jobs and a technological tool to help Ethiopia protect its sovereignty, reduce poverty and achieve sustainable development."

ETRSS-1 is an ultra-small multi-spectrum remote sensing satellite, weighing only 70kg, operated by Ethiopian Space Science and Technology Institute (ESSTI). Data from satellites will be used in resource monitoring, agricultural and forestry crop monitoring and weather forecasting.

The development of ETRSS-1 satellite has received a great deal of assistance from China. The East Asian nation not only supports design but also pays most of its production costs, according to ESSTI Director General Solomon Belay.