Kenya is set to send its first Earth Observation Satellite to space which in turn will have major benefits to the country.
Speaking on Wednesday, Acting director of Kenya Space Agency Hillary Kipkosgey said data gathered from space will be used to make different observations from land cover.
"Earth Observation Satellite is a camera that looks on the earth and takes images of the earth's surface and from that, you are able to make various interpretations of what is happening on earth," he told Hope TV.
Kipkosgey said it will be the first of a series of satellites they intend to work on in the coming years.
He said Kenya will be able to characterise land use depending on what feature is covering the surface.
"We will be able to characterise features that are under maize different from land that is under wheat," he said.
Kipkosgey said the Earth observation Satellite can also be used for security purposes because it tracks, monitors, and respond to situations.
"Depending on the finest resolution, you can actually track the movement of people, if you have a situation like we have in some parts of our country and you are interested in knowing where the trouble makers are it is possible with some kind of Earth Observation Satellites to track, monitor and respond to situations," he said.
He said unlike the satellite launched in 2018, the one set to be launched will have more capabilities.
Taifa-1 satellite is set to be launched on April 11, 2023 in Vandenberg Base, California, UDA aborad Falcon-9 Rocket.
Defence Principal Secretary Patrick Mariru said it will cost Kenya Sh50 million.