Unknown space. Part two. Space Programme Ethiopia

Contributors GeekTimes very detailed coverage of American and Russian achievements in space research. However, the desire for the distant and mysterious seems inherent in the human genome, so their space programs have very many countries. Suppose they can not boast a comparable success with the leaders, but nevertheless interesting to at least briefly acquainted with their efforts on the way to understanding the mysteries of the universe. To broaden the horizons of readers portal I decided to publish a small series of articles "unknown space".
The first was devoted to the project light European launcher «VEGA» (Vettore Europeo di Generazione Avanzata)
Hot today, is not conducive to serious work on a large number of sources, and quiet warm evening to the perception of long tables with TTC. All this and more is possible and heat, prompted me now turn to the highly exotic theme - the space program in Ethiopia. It is not too large, but has its own flavor.


Home country's space program, which the world is much more associated with war and famine than with space exploration was laid three years ago. The program itself is not so much a scientific as missionary significance. The main tasks assigned to it - to awaken the younger generation the desire for knowledge and to improve the country's image in the eyes of the world community.



The visible part of the iceberg - the construction of two observatories. Three years and four million dollars was spent on their creation. Most of the funds is donations of Ethiopian origin Saudi billionaire Mohammed al-Amoudi.
The Observatory's number one not only built but also put into operation. It is located in the mountains, 20 kilometers from the capital city of Ethiopia. The diameter of its mirror telescope of one meter.



With it has obtained the first images.



The second construct an observatory at an altitude of 4200 meters above sea level in the town of Lalibela, which until now was known to the ancient Christian church, carved in the rock.



Research in observatories will engage the Ethiopian Society of Space Research (EOKI), established in 2004.
However, the telescopes is just a motivator, because the ultimate goal of the program - to promote scientific and technological transformations in the country. The program has a complex character. Several years ago, the university began organizovavat astronomy courses. In schools and universities of the country clubs open Space.



The next major step on the road to a knowledge of the mysteries of the universe should be the launch of the first Ethiopian meteorological satellite.
It is worth noting that the space research are becoming more popular on the continent. Their space agencies created Algeria, Egypt, Nigeria, South Africa. But more about that next time.

P.S. I am very ashamed and sorry that among the large number of Russian billionaires for the most part earned their capitals on the exploitation of natural resources of our homeland found a only one who understands that without the development of fundamental science in the country has no future. Name the person who gratis really put serious money into Russian science today on everyone's lips - Dmitry Zimin. Unfortunately, he, together with his Foundation, was declared a foreign agent and forced out of the country. The rest are still very far from Mohammed Al-Amoudi. H5>

Source: geektimes.ru/post/252978/