TRL Space Rwanda, a sister company of the Czech-based TRL Space, is spearheading an ambitious initiative to establish Africa’s first satellite and equatorial constellation hub. This pioneering effort has garnered significant acclaim, with the President of the Czech Republic, Petr Pavel, commending the initiative during his recent visit to the TRL Space office in Kigali, Rwanda.
On April 6, 2024, President Pavel visited the Rwanda branch of TRL Space, where he witnessed firsthand the remarkable transfer of knowledge and technology from the Czech-based mother company to its Rwandan counterpart. TRL Space’s visionary plan in Rwanda is to cultivate indigenous capabilities for developing nano-satellites and equatorial constellations, laying the foundation for a thriving space ecosystem on the African continent.
A Momentous Milestone for Rwanda
The first milestone in this transformative journey will be the development of a 6U Cubesat at the Rwandan branch in the coming months. This endeavour will be supported by the Czech-based space company TRL Space in collaboration with the Rwandan Space Agency (RSA). This groundbreaking initiative marks a significant stride for Rwanda, as TRL Space aims to establish a centre for building small satellites that will serve the entire African continent.
Knowledge Transfer and Capacity Building
TRL Space is committed to bringing its expertise, development, and production capabilities to Rwanda in cooperation with the government, universities, and research organisations. The company plans to invest over USD 2 million in this innovative collaboration, underscoring its dedication to fostering a sustainable space ecosystem in Africa.
The first phase of the satellite mission, which will be exclusively dedicated to supporting Rwandan agriculture, has already commenced. This pioneering endeavour is just the beginning, as TRL Space envisions creating a complete constellation of satellites that will ensure regular and sufficient imaging of the entire African continent. While the first satellite will be built by engineers from Europe and Africa working together, future satellites will primarily be developed by TRL Space engineers based in Rwanda.
Nurturing Local Talent
TRL Space has already initiated identifying and nurturing local talent through the recently organised CubeSat Makerthon, which enabled the company to recruit a diverse pool of skilled individuals across Africa. This initiative aims to build a robust space community that contributes to establishing Africa’s Satellite and Equatorial Constellation Hub in Rwanda.
Czech President’s Visit and Endorsement
During his visit to TRL Space Rwanda, His Excellency, the President of the Czech Republic, witnessed the company’s commitment to fostering regional collaboration and capacity building. Serge Tuyihimbaze, who delivered the welcome remark, echoed the sentiment of Rwandan President Paul Kagame, stating, “To reach far and fast, we must go together.” Embracing this principle, TRL Space has chosen collaboration as its guiding principle, aiming to collectively explore the depths of space.
TRL Space’s CEO, Petr Kapoun, reiterated the company’s vision: “Our intention is not just to deliver these technologies to Rwanda. We bring added value to the region. Our goal is to introduce new space technologies that increase the economic and living standards of the entire region.”
President Petr Pavel expressed his appreciation for TRL Space’s presence in Rwanda during his visit, which primarily focused on participating in events commemorating the 30th anniversary of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi. The President learned about the company’s projects, toured the facilities, and met with its employees, underscoring the significance of this pioneering initiative.
