On 27 January 2023, the Angolan president, João Lourenço, inaugurated the nation’s first satellite Mission Control Center (MCC) in Funda, Luanda. The MCC is an essential infrastructure capable of operating three satellites simultaneously and would be used to monitor the activity of the ANGOSAT 2, launched on 12 October 2022.
The launch ceremony was attended by several government officials, including the Minister of Telecommunications, Information Technologies and Social Communication (MINTTICS), Mario Oliveira; Director General of the National Space Programme Management Office (GGPEN), Dr Zolana João, among others.
To ensure its optimum operation while operating the satellite, the MCC is equipped with state-of-the-art communication equipment and several engineering systems, including electrical, mechanical, hydraulic and cooling systems. Furthermore, the MCC will be wholly operated by Angolan specialists (engineers and technicians) trained to operationalise the facility.
While speaking at the ceremony, President João Lourenço disclosed that the ANGOSAT 2 would improve the country’s telecommunications sector and promote different digital transformation agendas, positioning itself as a driving force to accelerate Africa’s digital single market.
“To this end, adequate investment would be made to ensure that our telecommunications sector continues to contribute to our country’s development and economic growth and also connect us to our neighbouring countries, specifically the Democratic Republic of Congo,” he concluded.
The ceremony also featured a tour of the centre, led by the Director General of the National Space Programme Management Office (GGPEN), Dr Zolana João.
