The project to acquire the satellite is being implemented in collaboration with the Government of Rwanda and Japan through Tokyo University.
‘RWASAT I’ is expected to be completed by the end of May 2019 to be handed to the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).
The Japan Ambassador to Rwanda, Takayuki Miyashita said that the satellite will be completed soon.
“The first satellite assembled by Rwandans supported by Tokyo University will be completed towards the end of May and handed to JAXA which will take it to airspace controlling station before it is launched,” he said.
“I am informed that the satellite will be launched into space within three months. It will be operating in August or September this year,” added Miyashita.
It is expected that representatives of Tokyo University in Transform Africa Summit to be held in Kigali on 14th -17th May 2019 will update on the progress made for the satellite to be operational.
RWASAT I was built in collaboration with Tokyo University and five Rwandans getting training in Japan.
It is a small satellite with advanced technology in data gathering. It is similar to another satellite TRICOM-1R belonging to Japan launched on 3rd March 2018. The latter weighs three kilograms and serve to collect data using cameras.
Rwanda’s satellite will be used in agriculture and preserving the environment.
RWASAT I will be the second satellite Rwanda launches in the space following the launch of ‘Icyerekezo’ satellite on 28th February 2019 expected to expand internet in rural areas.
It was launched by the Government of Rwanda in collaboration with OneWeb. 
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