New horizons: How India, Tanzania can collaborate in satellite and space investment.
“We must strive to build a self-reliant nation. We must rely on our own resources and efforts to solve our problems and improve our lives,” once said Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere, the founding Father of the nation.
As you start grasping this-by 2048, Yuval Harari Noah predicted that people will have to cope with challenging cyberspace and climate changes.
And as the father of the nation envisioned earlier, it is necessary to build a self-reliant nation. In this digital century, a time has come to harness technology and investment to launch our own Satellite and build our own Space research center.
Without going far a friend indeed-India has a state-of-the-art high tech space technology and components that has lived through operational space services era, and a time has come to collaborate for a major Investment.
The agency behind India’s successful moon landing in 2023 was the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO). The specific mission, Chandrayaan-3, achieved a significant milestone by landing near the moon’s south pole in August 2023.
This made India the first country to successfully land a probe in that region of the moon. ISRO’s Chandrayaan-3 mission was a follow up to Chandrayaan-2, with a focus on a successful soft landing and exploration.
In a world experiencing climate change and pandemics, a time has come for Tanzania to launch its own satellite and win space exploration investment from one of its key diplomatic partners, India.
The vision, experience of India’s space and satellite capabilities
As early as the 1920s, the history of India’s space technology began. The remarkable work of scientist Sisir Kumar Mitra in Kolkata during the 1920s led to significant advances. Mitra also performed experiments to analyze the ionosphere through ground-based radio waves.
Building on this foundation, Indian scientists C.V. Raman and Meghnad Saha provided scientific principles that are valuable for aeronautics.
Their contributions to astrophysics and the understanding of space environments can provide insight into satellite investment for weather monitoring and climate change management.
Further progress was made in 1945 with Vikram Sarabhai, founder of the Physical Research Laboratory in Ahmedabad, and Homi Jehangir Bhabha, founder of Tata Institute of Fundamental Research. These pioneering scientists played pivotal roles in shaping India’s future in space exploration.
India’s south pole landing not only showcases its modern space capabilities but also reflects the visionary history of its space industry. Early experiments were conducted on cosmic radiation, high-speed airborne tests, and particle tests in the Kolar mines of Karnataka, pushing the boundaries of scientific understanding.
Sriharikota Island later became India’s spaceport, and the increasing pace of space research led to the establishment of ISRO on 15th August 1969, succeeding the INCOSPAR (Indian National Committee for Space Research), founded by Jawaharlal Nehru with Dr. Vikram Sarabhai as its chairman.
A need for weather and communication satellites for Tanzania
Can Tanzania ever aim for the moon? The idea may seem far-fetched, given our current economic goals and needs.
However, national growth changes over decades, and Tanzania’s history is still evolving. Addressing climate change and weather issues is a fundamental national interest. Understanding the weather through satellites should take precedence over some of the philosophical debates that dominate our national discourse.
As a prominent economy in the region, Tanzania must consider creating its own satellites, particularly for weather monitoring. Collaboration with India, which has successfully partnered with global space leaders such as Russia, NASA, and European agencies, can provide Tanzania with the know-how and technology to launch its own satellite programs.
It is critical to move beyond self-doubt and embrace the possibilities that satellite technology presents. With ongoing environmental disasters such as flooding and mudslides in regions like Hanang, the need for our own satellites is more urgent than ever.
Partnering with ISRO, the agency that landed a probe on the far side of the moon, can accelerate Tanzania’s progress in space investment.
The timeliness of scientific investment
In a world of national competition, time gives no discounts. History shows that to leapfrog into progress, timely investments in science and technology are essential. When I wrote about President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s visionary diplomacy with India in another article, Navigating Growth: Lessons from India’s Economic and Space Triumphs for Africa’s Ascent, I highlighted India’s engineering expertise across many global corporations.
India’s lunar rover mission to the moon’s south pole exemplifies why India remains the ideal partner for space and satellite collaboration with Tanzania. India’s experience in space-based services has grown through key figures like Vikram Sarabhai, who persuaded NASA to lend India its most advanced satellite, the ATS-F, for experimental mass communication in underserved Indian regions.
Learning diligently toward modern technology in Satellite
India launched its Aryabhata satellite on April 19, 1975, a significant milestone, just 15 years after Tanzania’s independence.
This simple satellite marked India’s leap into space technology, just one year after India’s first nuclear test, Pokhran-1, in 1974. India’s rise from these humble beginnings to become a technological powerhouse is a testament to its commitment to continuous learning.
Since 2023, India has set new benchmarks in space technology and satellite missions. Tanzania can benefit from India’s expertise in establishing a space center of its own, as India’s high-tech solutions remain cost-effective.
As we focus on modernizing agriculture and managing natural resources, satellites will play a critical role in providing timely data.
India’s professionalism, experience, and modernization know-how have been consistent throughout the decades. For example, India has built about 104 satellites as of December 31, 2019, including landmark missions like Aryabhata, Bhaskara-1, INSAT-2A, and others.
Collaborating with institutions like Tanzania Meteorological Authority (TMA), COSTECH, and DIT, Tanzania can learn from Indian institutions like the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), IN-SPACe, and NRSC, which offer a wealth of expertise.
Disaster management, remote sensing, and environmental monitoring
Tanzania could harness new satellite technologies for disaster management and environmental monitoring. With improved satellite data, we can foresee unpredictable environmental challenges and mitigate their effects.
A country destined for greatness must possess the characteristics of greatness thoughts among its intellectuals. We can become a major power in the next half a century.
Tanzania’s geographic location and political stability position us to become a regional leader. However, we must stop thinking in narratives and start thinking in facts, facts that are well-researched and driven by a desire to think beyond today. Collaboration with India can help Tanzania achieve these goals through satellite and space investments.
Reasons for establishing a space exploration and satellite center in Tanzania
Geographic advantage-Tanzania’s proximity to the equator offers a strategic location for launching spacecraft, as less energy is required to reach geostationary orbits. This makes Tanzania an ideal hub for African space activities, including satellite launching and tracking operations.
Economic growth and technological advancement-A space exploration center can act as a catalyst for economic growth by fostering technological innovation.
Satellite communications, remote sensing, and meteorological predictions can enhance agriculture, disaster management, and national security in Tanzania.
Educational and research opportunities- Tanzania can position itself as a leader in space science education by establishing research institutions and partnerships with Indian Engineering institutions and universities. This will build local capacity and inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers.
Environmental monitoring and resource management -Through satellite technology, Tanzania can monitor natural resources, including forests, minerals, and water bodies. This would assist in environmental conservation, agricultural planning, and climate change mitigation.
Indo-Tanzania collaboration in space technology: The Narendra Modi Effect
“India’s space program is driven by a vision of service to humanity, not just for our own people but for the world.” Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his speech at the 2023 Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) event marking the successful landing of the Chandrayaan-3 mission on the moon. India’s proven expertise in low-cost space missions offers valuable lessons for Tanzania.
ISRO is known for its cost-effective missions, such as the Mars Orbiter Mission and the Chandrayaan missions. Partnering with India will allow Tanzania to benefit from India’s efficiency and experience.
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Capacity building and knowledge transfer
India can help build Tanzania’s space capabilities through training programs, joint research projects, and technology transfer. This collaboration will fast-track Tanzania’s space ambitions.
Satellite launching services
Tanzania can take advantage of India’s competitive satellite launching services for telecommunications, weather forecasting, and resource monitoring.
Strategic South-South cooperation-effective Bharat-Tanzania bilateral cooperation
Tanzania and India are both members of the Global South. Strengthening ties through space technology aligns with the broader agenda of South-South cooperation and promotes economic collaboration in multiple sectors.
Joint Research and space exploration
India and Tanzania can collaborate on joint space research, particularly in areas like earth observation, climate studies, and satellite-based infrastructure.
While I am not an expert in space matters, I remember my University Chancellor circa 2009 at Mzumbe saying, “A lawyer must be a jack of all trades, with fingertip knowledge in everything.” I have endeavored to live by that advice. In this age of information and misinformation, clarity is power. After witnessing the devastating effects of climate change, it is time for Tanzania to develop its own satellite and space research center. Artificial Intelligence, cyberspace, and cybersecurity require new core skills and equipment for space exploration. I hope this article inspires collaboration between Tanzania and India, for the benefit of both countries and the East African region.
The writer is an advocate of the High Court and a contributor on international affairs and diplomacy, reachable via +255719500555, email: norvum728@gmail.com
