Rwasat-1, a satellite built by three Rwandan engineers and a team of Japanese at Tokyo University, will be launched into orbit in November, New Times reported. Rwasat-1 was taken to the International Space Station on 24 September. RURA MD Patrick Nyirishema said the satellite might be launched on 18 November.
According to Takayoshi Fukuyo, one of the developers, the HTV-8 "Koutonori 8", a cargo ship which stores Rwasat-1, was captured by the robotic arm of the International Space Station on 28 September. Rwasat-1 is a mini satellite or CubeSat. These are tiny satellites that are deployed into low earth orbit from where they can send information to ground stations.
Paula Ingabire, the Minister for ICT and Innovation, said that the partnership with Tokyo University benefits Rwandans.
