President Hichilema to Commission $14 Million Ground Receiving Station in Chibombo
President Hakainde Hichilema is set to commission a state-of-the-art Ground Receiving Station in Chibombo District, built at a cost of US$14 million. The station, already operational, is part of the National Remote Sensing Center under the Ministry of Technology and Science.
Technology and Science Minister Hon. Felix Mutati highlighted that the facility has passed all tests and is receiving critical data from space. This data will assist experts, including those from the University of Zambia (UNZA) and Copperbelt University (CBU), in sectors such as agriculture, health, and mining.
Mutati emphasized President Hichilema’s commitment to leveraging technology for national development. The station, in collaboration with Swedish and American partners, will provide Zambia access to global satellite data without the need to launch its own satellite.
“With this data, we can locate minerals, predict weather patterns, and make informed decisions,” Mutati said.
Visiting astronaut Christer Fuglesang echoed the importance of space data, saying it has the potential to greatly enhance Zambia’s knowledge and development efforts.