FORTUNE+ VIDEO SPONSORED CONTENTS FORTUNE AUDIO TRADE AFRICA new

Fortune Logo

Chinese Firm to Supply Satellite Receiver

Nov 21 , 2018
By BERHANE HAILEMARIAM ( FORTUNE STAFF WRITER )

Sample picture of the ground station with an antenna subsystem, data recording, archiving system, image processing system and application subsystem to be build at the premises of Entoto observatory and research center.

Eight international companies are bidding to supply a multi-mission earth observation satellite receiver and tracking equipment for the Ethiopian Space Science & Technology Institute. The satellite receivers will be used for data acquisition, archiving, processing, analysis and distribution.

The bid was floated on July 31, 2018, and opened two months later in early October. While 36 international companies expressed interest by purchasing bid documents, only nine firms submitted technical and financial offers.

During the technical evaluation phase of the bid, one of the competitors was disqualified due to insufficiencies in bidding procedures, while eight other companies progressed to the financial evaluation.

Results of the financial evaluation were announced on November 8, 2018, when China Centre for Resources Satellite Data and Application (CRESDA) offered the lowest bid price of 140.4 million Br for the equipment. The Chinese firm was established in 1991 under the supervision of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, which specialises in remote sensing satellites data acquisition and processing technology.


Two South Koeran firms, Satrec Initiative and KT Consortium; four other Chinese companies, Poly Technologies, China Great Wall Industry Corporation, Hiwing Mechanical & Electrical Equipment Corporation and CRESDA; an Israeli firm, Avorniga Technology; and the Italian firm e-Geos E.P.A. were the finalists.

The lowest bid received from CRESDA is almost four times lower than the highest bid offer of e-Geos E.P.A.


"The winner will be announced in three weeks time," Abera Ayele, chairperson of the tender committee, told Fortune.

The satellite receiver will enable the country to access high-resolution centralised data from other in-orbit satellites, according to Yilkal Chane, director of Satellite Research, Development and Operation.


“The receiver will help us monitor the environment, natural resources, climate change and infrastructure safety,” Yilkal said. “It also can be used as an early warning system in case of emergencies.”

Ethiopia is planning to launch its first 70Kg earth observation satellite into orbit in September 2019. The design, development and manufacturing of the spacecraft have been done in collaboration with the Chinese companies at a cost of eight million dollars. China provides financing for six million dollars and training.

Twenty Ethiopian aerospace engineers are involved in the satellite project. The Ethiopian engineers developed the preliminary design, according to Solomon Belay (PhD), director general of the Institute. The institute was established in 2016 to realise the nation's satellite project efforts, develop space policy and strategy and deliver education.

The institute has trained 60 PhDs and 20 MScs since its inception in 2014 at its observatory and research centre atop Entoto Mountain, North of Addis Abeba. The centre focuses on research and postgraduate training for masters and doctoral degree programs in astronomy, space science, remote sensing and geodesy, the science that accurately measures and understands earth properties.


Getnet Mewa (PhD), with three decades of experience in research and education at the Addis Abeba University Institute of Geophysics, Space Science and Astronomy, lauds the activities performed by the Entoto Observatory and Research Centre as well as the Institute in enhancing the capacity and technology of space science.

"For sustainable development in space science and technology, the ICT infrastructure and the financial input should grow more," he argued. "The institute also needs to create a conducive working environment that reduces the turnover rate of professionals."


PUBLISHED ON Nov 21,2018 [ VOL 19 , NO 969]

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate it!

Average rating 0 / 5. Vote count: 0

No votes so far! Be the first to rate this post.



Related Posts

Put your comments here

N.B: A submit button will appear once you fill out all the required fields.

Editors' Pick

Editorial

Policy Unpredictability Pernicious, When Frequented Dreadful

Dec 24 , 2022

Biniam Mikru heads the department of cabinet affairs under Mayor Adanech Abiebie. But...

Agenda

Is the Coffee Bonanza Here to Stay?

Jul 2 , 2022 . By RUTH TAYE

On a rainy afternoon last week, a coffee processing facility in the capital's Akaki-Qality District was abuzz with activ...

Editorial

Financial Sector-sourced Glucose Drips No Remedy to Save Economy

Nov 27 , 2021

Against my will, I have witnessed the most terrible defeat of reason and the most sa...

Editorial

Contingency Economic Plan Necessary to Reconcile with Political Storm

Nov 13 , 2021

Plans and reality do not always gel. They rarely do in a fast-moving world. Every act...

Commentaries

Privation Translates to Opportunity

The past year has been challenging for Africa. After a hopeful 2021, during which the...

Debasing the Birr: A Delicate Balance

The policy decision to devalue the Birr against a basket of major currencies can be p...

Fineline

Leaders of the National . . .

Leaders of the National Election Board are in a charm offensive mood, of a sort. Last week, they organised a rare tour for members of the me...

When the country’s most. . .

When the country's most senior diplomats and envoys return back to their posts after two-week debriefings, they leave behind a point or two...

Editorial

What Organising, Operating Principles Prosperitians Follow?

Jan 21 , 2023

Eyob Tekalign, state minister for Finance, took to social media platforms last week t...

Giving Ethiopia’s Tactical Peace Strategic Substance

Jan 14 , 2023

The longing for normalcy and a semblance of individual and collective security in Eth...

Worldview May Drive the Administrations' Warped Priorities

Jan 7 , 2023

The hallmark of Ethiopia's contemporary leaders could be a fascination with grandeur...

Corruption Alarms Need Serious Measures

Dec 31 , 2022

A change of guards in 2018 gave Ethiopians hope for better circumstances from the pre...

Gallery

Parliament Approves New Cabinet Members

Oct 6 , 2021

Parliament Approves New Cabinet, Incorporates Opposition Leaders Lawmakers have approved today the nominations of 22 ministers, including three opposition leaders. Two MPs have voted against, while 12 abstained...

2020 in Posterity

Jan 5 , 2021

TIGRAY VOTES DESPITE "NULL & VOID" THREAT

Sep 9 , 2020

IN-PICTURE: LAUREATE'S RECEPTION  

Dec 14 , 2019

PM Abiy Ahmed (PhD) at a Gala Dinner Called for the Awarding of the Félix Houphouët-Boigny Peace Prize

May 6 , 2019

Faces, Voices of Addis Abeba

Apr 26 , 2019

Sunday With Eden

The Power of Unlearning Chaos and Claiming Responsibility

Those who think all parents could be good examples at all times should look no furthe...

Judging the Hypocrisy of Court House Trauma

I have never met anyone who appreciated court proceedings. It has become a traumatic...

Life Matters

The Cost of Truth in Relationships

I found myself in an awkward situation one of the days last week. The plan was to have lunch with two of my friends, but one of them was fas...

The Endless Quest for Control

I have had the chance to discourse with my psychologist friends, who told me about their experience with many clients with anxiety and othe...