Kenya’s first satellite was launched into space on Friday at 1:30pm in Japan.
The satellite was built by the University of Nairobi in partnership with Japanese Space Agency (JAXA).
The small-size orbiting satellite was first delivered into the International Space Station on April 2, from where it was thrust into space.
Kenyans followed the proceedings online and also in TV.
Education Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohammed led a Kenyan delegation in witnessing the event held in Japan.
She was required to give what is termed as the ceremonial greenlight just minutes before the launch.
With its launch, Kenya becomes the ninth African country to have a satellite in space.
President Uhuru Kenyatta congratulated the researchers and students from UON who worked in ensuring Kenya got her first satellite.
“I’m encouraged by the venture by University of Nairobi. It is an inspiration to Kenyans to study space science for development of our economy,” said the President in a speech read on his behalf by Amina according to the Star.
Uhuru also thanked the Japanese government for funding the Sh120 million project.
Faith Karanja, UoN’s head of the department of geospatial and space technology said communication will begin immediately.
Japanese astronaut Norishige Kanai said Kenya’s first satellite should inspire her people to study about space.
The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) and JAXA runs the KiboCube programme which developed the 10 centimetre cube satellite (CubeSat).
Also read: Kenya launches its first locally made satellite into space Friday