Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Defence, Honourable Soipan Tuya, co-chaired the 2nd Council of Ministers Meeting together with Italy’s Minister for Enterprises and Made in Italy, Honourable Senator Adolfo Urso, at the Luigi Broglio Malindi Space Centre, in Malindi, Kenya on 1st October 2024. The discussion centred on furthering the execution of the bilateral agreement between Kenya and Italy regarding the Luigi Broglio Space Centre, a core mandate for the council. Honourable Tuya emphasised this facility’s crucial role in enhancing the relationship between the two countries. Additionally, the two ministers acknowledged the advancements in implementing the two countries’ priorities regarding the centre. They also approved collaborative projects to be implemented at the facility, aimed at benefiting Kenya and the broader African continent.
“Over 60 years ago, Italy’s space adventure began here in Malindi. Today, we want to give a new mission to this base, which could become the training centre for space operators from African countries that have just established their continental space agency,” said Minister Urso. The Mattei Plan for Africa, endorsed by the Prime Minister of Italy, underscores space cooperation between Italy and Africa as a key pillar of the plan’s success. The Luigi Broglio Space Centre plays a crucial role in this collaboration.
Inauguration of the Luigi Broglio Space Museum
During their visit to the centre, the two ministers inaugurated the “Luigi Broglio Space Museum.” Among the first of its kind in Africa, this museum commemorates the facility’s history and honours the legacy of Professor Luigi Broglio, the visionary founder of the San Marco project. It also serves as an educational platform for the public. The delegation also visited other areas of the Space Centre, such as the Remote Sensing Centre (Centre for Earth Observation), the Training and Education Centre, and the Operations Control Centre.
The visit and achievements highlight the Centre’s strategic importance and the space economy’s role in Kenya’s national development agenda. They also emphasise the museum’s crucial function in educating the public about the value of space science and Kenya’s contributions to space exploration. The events further demonstrate Kenya’s commitment to becoming a leader in space exploration in Africa. Additionally, it inspires hope for the future while leveraging international partnerships to benefit both the country and the continent.
During his mission to Kenya, Minister Urso was accompanied by the President of the Italian Space Agency (ASI), Teodoro Valente, General Franco Federici, military advisor to the Prime Minister and secretary of the Interministerial Committee for Space, a delegation of the main Italian companies in the aerospace sector (Avio, Leonardo, Telespazio), and the aerospace delegate of Confindustria, Giorgio Marsiaj. This underscores the growing interest in space cooperation between Italy and Kenya.
A Gateway to Future Opportunities
Between 1967 and 1988, the Center facilitated the launch of nine satellites. Four were part of the San Marco program(Italy), four were American satellites, and one was British. Additionally, the facility supported roughly 20 orbital missions during this period. From its unique position as the world’s first equatorial launch site, coupled with the growing demand for African satellite launches, the centre is poised to become a hub for future launch operations for African satellites. Feasibility studies are already underway for potential launch sites in Kenya, proving the country’s potential in the future of space exploration.
Source: https://spaceinafrica.com/2024/10/02/kenya-and-italy-strengthen-collaboration-on-the-luigi-broglio-space-centre/
