Rwanda files to acquire over 300,000 satellites

Editor — Wed, 20 Oct 2021 21:44:04 +0000

Source: https://www.newtimes.co.rw/news/rwanda-files-acquire-over-300000-satellites

By Alice Kagina Published : October 20, 2021

Rwanda Space Agency has filed a request to acquire two satellite constellations from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), namely Cinnamon-217 and Cinnamon-937, according to an official statement.

The development was communicated by the agency on October 20 saying that the submission is in compliance with ITU regulations and procedures.

The detailed application calls for the two fleets of craft totals 327,320 satellites.

Francis Ngabo, Chief Executive of RSA, said this progress is in line with making the country a hub for the African space industry.

“Filings with the ITU are essential to register satellite frequencies and orbital slots, and to secure the possibility of future satellite launches. This process is consistent with the ambition of the government of Rwanda to make space a new frontier for our national development,” he said.

He reiterated that with the technology now available to make full use of these slots, “Rwanda plans to develop projects that will provide various essential services.”

In the past, Rwanda depended on other countries and private companies for geospatial data until it launched its first ever satellite, ‘RwaSat-1’ in November 2019.

The first cube-satellite (RwaSat-1) was built by three Rwandan engineers and a team of Japanese at Tokyo University, and it was launched from Japan’s Tanegashima Space Centre and deployed to the Low Earth Orbit (LEO) from International Space Station.

RwaSat-1 has antennas alongside two multi-spectral cameras onboard which communicates with deployed ground sensors.

The satellite helps the government to monitor water resources, natural disasters, agriculture and meteorology.

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Rwanda government outlaws the use of cell phones in schools.

Editor — Sat, 23 Jun 2018 21:22:25 +0000

Article in The New Times, Rwanda’s Leading Daily newspaper http://www.newtimes.co.rw/news/government-outlaws-use-cell-phones-schools

Elisée Mpirwa

Published : June 15, 2018

Pupils in class at Rusheshe Primary School in Masaka, Kicukiro District. File

The Ministry of Education says that no more primary and secondary schools students will be allowed to own or use a mobile telephone at school, citing distraction.

The measure was announced Thursday in a post-cabinet press conference held at the Prime Minister’s office in Kimihurura, that discussed the need for improvement in the use of ICT devices in primary and secondary schools putting emphasis on banning cell phones and developing mechanisms to ensure compliance.

Education minister Dr Eugène Mutimura noted that students should only concentrate on their education and observe discipline while in school.

“Mobile telephones distract students and can tempt them into lead them to various consequences,” said Mutimura during the press briefing.

He added that a study conducted by the ministry revealed that when students use phones at school, it affects their studies as they spend most of their time on them and forget about their core duty of studying.

Gender and Family Promotion minister, Espérance Nyirasafari told reporters in the press conference that parents should support this decision as it will benefit their children.

“How can a student follow classes while chatting on social media, share photos and everything else?” wondered Nyirasafari.

The education ministry says that it is about to release guidelines that parents, teachers and students should follow in the use of mobile phones in schools.

Schools were called upon to buy common telephones for students who want to talk their parents.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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Rwanda files to acquire over 300,000 satellites

Rwanda government outlaws the use of cell phones in schools.