By: Nana
Appiah Acquaye
Angola is strengthening its
national space technology capacity with the deployment of five specialists from
the National Space Program Management Office (GGPEN) to France for advanced
training linked to the development of the ANGEO-1 Earth observation satellite.
The specialists are
scheduled to travel to France on Friday, September 4, 2026, where they will
undertake master’s-level programmes under the ANGEO-1 Project, which provides
for the construction, launch and placement into orbit of Angola’s first Earth
observation satellite.
The training forms part of
the deliverables of a contract between GGPEN and Airbus Defence and Space and
represents a key component of the project’s knowledge transfer programme.
The initiative is intended
to strengthen national expertise in space technologies and prepare Angolan
professionals for the future operation and management of the satellite system.
The five specialists were
selected based on professional experience, English-language proficiency,
leadership abilities, institutional maturity and recommendations from their
respective hierarchical structures.
In France, they will pursue
specialised programmes in Systems Engineering, Artificial Intelligence,
Management, Entrepreneurship and Innovation at ISAE-SUPAERO, an international
reference institution for aerospace and technology education.
Beyond the academic
training, the specialists will have the opportunity to join the resident
monitoring team for the ANGEO-1 Project in France. This will allow them to
combine their studies with practical activities related to the satellite’s
development alongside Airbus Defence and Space.
Currently under development,
ANGEO-1 will be Angola’s first satellite dedicated to Earth observation. The
satellite is expected to strengthen the country’s use of space-derived data in
strategic areas including agriculture, environmental management, spatial
planning, natural resource management and emergency response.
The project extends beyond
the construction of the satellite itself, with a broad knowledge transfer and
technical training programme for Angolan engineers, researchers and
technicians.
GGPEN, an agency under the
Ministry of Telecommunications, Information Technologies and Social
Communication (MINTTICS), is responsible for implementing and managing Angola’s
National Space Programme and promoting the use of space technologies to support
the country’s socio-economic development.
