GaindéSat 1A, 1B

GaindéSat 1A [SENSAT]

GaindéSat-1A is a 1U CubeSat developed for the Senegalese Space Project (SENSAT), making it the first satellite of Senegal. Built by the Centre Spatial Universitaire de Montpellier (CSUM) at the University of Montpellier in France in cooperation with Senegalese engineers and technicians, the satellite was launched on 16 August 2024 aboard a Falcon 9 Transporter-11 mission. Its primary objective is education while also demonstrating Earth observation and environmental data collection capabilities.

The satellite carries two payloads: a UCAM-3 camera for low-resolution Earth imaging with a ground resolution of approximately 10 km, and a UHF communications system operating between 400 and 450 MHz. The communications payload collects and relays data whenever the spacecraft passes over Senegal, typically two to three times per day. The mission supports the development of national expertise in satellite operations and remote sensing.

GaindeSat-1A was constructed during a three-year programme in which Senegalese engineers and technicians received hands-on training at the University of Montpellier Space Center. The satellite is intended to provide data for natural resource management, land-use planning, agriculture, and disaster monitoring while serving as a foundation for Senegal's future space activities.

The spacecraft is based on the University of Montpellier's proven 1U v3.5 CubeSat platform, previously flown on missions including CELESTA, Djibouti-1A, and ENSO. After launch, it was deployed from Momentus's Vigoride orbital transfer vehicle into its operational orbit. Amateur radio observations have confirmed successful operations, with telemetry regularly received through the SatNOGS network.

A second satellite, GaindéSat-1B, is planned to be launched.