Samuel Merga is CEO and President of African Space Research Organization and African Intelligence Security and African Intelligence Security Agency.
First of all Congratulations on your great achievements in helping Ethiopia progress in Space Technology! Please tell our readers about your own education and your journey in pursuing a career in Space Technology??
“I was born in Addis Ababa and I am 24 years old. While I was young my interest was to become like Bruce Lee and I started to train in martial arts. I trained for 12 years and was awarded a trophy. I also enjoyed drawing and painting pictures and even gave one to President Barack Obama when he came here. I was also awarded a trophy for my art. I joined a STEM club which is where I became interested in and started to train on robotics – I was the first most outstanding student from the class. That led me to compete in worldwide competitions – the first in India NASA’s Human Exploration Rover Challenge in 2016.– I was the first Ethiopian who represented Africa and as a result I became the President of NASA Rover Challenge of Ethiopia. From 2016 – 2018 I worked inside the Colonel John C Robinson American Center within the US Embassy in Addis Ababa – a program for students with talent but lacked opportunities. In 2019 at a competition in London I not only represented Ethiopia but the whole of Africa. I was able to visit NASA and given the chance of a full scholarship to study and work in the USA but my goal and interest was to open a Space Education School here in Ethiopia.”
- Can you please explain what a Nano Satellite is in easy to understand terms?
Nanosatellites are those satellites that are just about the size of your shoe box. But, they can do almost everything that a conventional satellite does, and at a fraction of the cost. Which is why everybody — from government organizations and start-ups to educational institutes — are all scrambling to get a piece of the small-sat pie. The big bang theory of small sats can be attributed to fast-changing technology trends cutting down gestation periods. The industry is responding to the subsequent profit vulnerability by making smaller spacecrafts quickly, deploying them even more swiftly and getting data from them rapidly.
- And what exactly is a Satellite Bus?
A satellite bus or spacecraft bus is a general model on which multiple-production satellite spacecrafst are often based. The bus is the infrastructure of the spacecraft, usually providing locations for the payload (typically space experiments or instruments). Bus-derived satellites are opposed to one-off, or specially produced satellites. Bus-derived satellites are usually customized to customer requirements, for example with specialized sensors or transponders, in order to achieve a specific mission. African Space Research Organization Mission Design and development of launch vehicles and related technologies for providing access to space. Design and development of satellites and related technologies for earth observation, communication, navigation, meteorology and space science.
- Tell us about the formation of the African Space Research Organization?
African Intelligence Security Agency information, insights, and actions consistently provide tactical and strategic advantage for the Pan Africanism. African Intelligence Security Agency objectives by collecting intelligence that matters, producing objective all-source analysis, conducting effective covert action as directed by the President, and safeguarding the secrets that help keep our Nation safe.
From where will the Satellite be launched?
The second satellite nano satellite will be launched from India in January 2021 designed by me. The 3rd satellite will be launched from Ethiopia after 3 years.
- What is your hope and expectation for Ethiopia regarding space research?
For Ethiopia it’s a historical satellite for Africa. So the Ethiopian Gov space observatory will launch the second nano remote sensing satellite in October 2020 with the help of China but our satellite is working on all aspects from remote sensing, economy, 24/7 hours connection, medias etc…
- What are the benefits and advantages?
The benefits will be to expand the potential for our country Ethiopia to be the model of Africa through space technology and security and additional benefits for our country Ethiopia through security, economy, connection etc…
I have been well recognized by the former US Congressional Candidate Mr.Ted Alemayhu, Advisor and G/Manager of ASRO & AISA Mr Yibekal Guta, Cairwomen of EDTF Ms Birhane Geleto, Founder of Medemer in Action Captain Abiye Geberhiwot,& former advisor Wasie Seattle, who have all been very supportive and worked hard to meet the needs of me. Really I want to thank them. Special thanks for EDTG Group for sponsoring our nano satellite that cost $600,000
For more info: https://emancipationwriters.com/ethiopia-will-launch- the-second-first-historical-nano-satellite-to-orbit-in-jan uary-2021-from-african-space-research-organization/
