The Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Professor Mthuli Ncube last week announced that ZW$300 million would be allocated toward the development of a second satellite.
He made the remarks last Thursday while presenting the 2023 national Budget at the newly-built multi-million dollar Parliament in Mt Hampden. Ncube said:
The country successfully launched the ZimSat-1 on 7 November 2022, a historic journey into space. The landmark event will facilitate water and mineral mapping, weather forecasting, infrastructure planning, border security and disaster prevention, among other benefits.
Given the multiple benefits to the overall economy from the project, the 2023 National Budget will provide additional
ZWL$300 million for the development of the second satellite including other supporting services.
Speaking on the first satellite earlier, President Emmerson Mnangagwa said it is very important. He said:
ZimSat-1 allows us to see our country from outer space. We are also able to make key interventions in national health, including foreseeing pandemics in time for timeous responses.
It is considered that the launch of ZimSat-1 will help Zimbabwe in the land, water and mineral mapping, including weather forecasting, infrastructure planning, border security and disaster prevention.
The satellite will host a multispectral camera, an image classification tool, and a device to transmit and receive signals from amateur radio operators.