Tag Archives: Satellite

AMA, Business, Environment

Nigeria’s Heat Crisis Is Fueling a New Wave of Startups

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LAGOS, Nigeria, 29 April 2026 -/African Media Agency(AMA)/ – As heat intensifies across Nigeria, a new cohort of ventures is developing solutions to protect crops, reduce food spoilage and livestock losses, and equip hospitals and outdoor workers to anticipate and withstand extreme conditions.

BFA Global, FSD Africa, ClimateWorks Foundation, and the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) Nigeria have selected 10 early-stage ventures to join the inaugural cohort of the TECA Heat Action Wave (THAW) program focused on accelerating solutions to extreme heat.

The 10 selected ventures are:

  • Ofemini Global Limited provides a heat-resilient logistics platform that helps farmers transport perishable goods efficiently, reducing spoilage caused by extreme temperatures through optimized routing and heat monitoring.
  • Agiletech Operations Consulting Limited provides a hyperlocal early-warning system that delivers climate and heat alerts through accessible channels, enabling farmers and micro-entrepreneurs to anticipate risks and take preventive action.
  • Emplaris develops a predictive energy and heat-risk intelligence system for healthcare facilities, helping hospitals anticipate outages and manage equipment stress during extreme heat events.
  • Doorcas Africa delivers an AI-powered livestock health and co-ownership platform that enables early disease detection and prevention, helping farmers reduce heat-related livestock mortality and improve productivity.
  • Farmxic offers an AI-driven soil and crop diagnostics platform that helps farmers adapt to heat-induced soil degradation and crop stress through real-time insights and personalized recommendations.
  • Farm Fresh Grocery Ltd. builds a climate-resilient agricultural system combining heat-adaptive beekeeping, herb production, and consumer products to stabilize yields and supply under rising temperatures.
  • Farmslate Technologies Limited provides a climate intelligence platform that translates satellite and weather data into actionable insights, enabling farmers and financial institutions to manage heat-related risks and improve decision-making.
  • Let-It-Cold offers a solar-powered, portable cooling solution that helps small businesses and households preserve perishable goods during extreme heat and power outages.
  • Pod develops a climate-resilient sanitation system that prevents failure and contamination in heat- and flood-prone environments through on-site treatment and water reuse.
  • TheHyWing Ltd provides a climate-smart digital health platform that combines heat alerts, AI diagnostics, and telemedicine to prevent heat-related health risks among outdoor workers and vulnerable populations.

Together, the ventures address some of the most immediate and under-addressed impacts of extreme heat across Nigeria, including food spoilage and cold chain gaps, heat-induced soil degradation and crop stress, livestock disease and productivity loss, health risks for outdoor workers, and system failures in energy, healthcare, and sanitation infrastructure. They range from early-stage concepts to minimum viable products, reflecting both the urgency of the problem and the early development of solutions in this emerging space.

The cohort reflects a growing innovation ecosystem across Nigeria, with ventures operating in multiple regions. The companies are based in Lagos, Kaduna, and Edo States. This geographic spread underscores the breadth of climate innovation emerging across the country and reinforces TECA’s commitment to supporting founders building locally relevant solutions nationwide.

Selected from a competitive pool, the ventures will each receive $56,000 in funding along with hands-on venture-acceleration support, including user validation, product development, business model design, and investor readiness. Each team will work with embedded venture builders and technical experts to accelerate their path to scale. Six of the ten selected ventures have a female co-founder.

“Extreme heat is rapidly becoming one of the biggest operational risks facing African economies, yet it remains dramatically underinvested,” said Tyler Ferdinand, TECA Director at BFA Global. “Through TECA’s Heat Action Wave, we’re backing entrepreneurs building the tools, services, and financial products that will allow people, businesses, and cities to function in a hotter world. Our goal is not only to support these ventures but to prove that climate adaptation can become a powerful new investment frontier.”

Juliet Munro, Director, Early Stage Finance, at FSD Africa, said: “If climate adaptation finance is going to scale in Africa, it has to be grounded in real, investable solutions. This group of innovators tackling extreme heat is important because it shows what those solutions look like in practice, and that’s what gives markets the confidence to follow. At FSD Africa, our role is to help turn early innovation like this into something markets can actually back.”

“The cost of inaction on climate change is growing, as over 70% of workers around the world are at risk from deadly extreme heat. At the same time, momentum for adaptation is growing, as we see both more funding and more innovation. These new business ventures are strong, community-led solutions that can accelerate resilience in Nigeria and more broadly in the West African region,” said Jessica Brown, Senior Director of Adaptation and Resilience at ClimateWorks Foundation.

“Responding to climate change is central to Nigeria’s future growth and resilience. The UK is excited to support this cohort of ambitious Nigerian businesses developing transformative solutions to extreme heat. TECA’s Heat Action Wave is part of a broader UK partnership with Nigeria that backs private sector–led innovation, creates jobs, and drives shared prosperity for both our countries as we transition to a greener economy,” said Temi Akinrinade, Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, Nigeria.

The program will run through 2026, culminating in demo days and investor engagement opportunities, with follow-on support available for top-performing ventures.

Distributed by African Media Agency (AMA) on behalf of BFA Global

About BFA Global
BFA Global is an impact innovation firm that combines research, advisory, venture building, and investment expertise to build a more inclusive, equitable, and resilient future for underserved people and the planet. We partner with leading public, private and philanthropic organisations, global and local, to catalyse innovation ecosystems for impact across emerging markets. Since 2006, we have completed 646 projects completed in over 107 countries, supported 250+ ventures in Africa, Latin America, and Asia, who have collectively raised $1B+ in follow-on funding, and have a survival rate above 80% (global average is ~20%), and built a network of 100+ global and African investors, innovators, and funders. Learn more at https://bfaglobal.com/.

About FSD Africa
FSD Africa is a specialist development agency funded through UK Development operating in more than 30 countries working to help make finance work for Africa’s future. Based in Nairobi, FSD Africa’s team of financial sector experts work alongside governments, business leaders, regulators, and policymakers to achieve policy and regulatory reform, capacity strengthening, and improving financial infrastructure, to address systemic challenges in Africa’s financial markets. Since 2017, the organisation’s strategy has evolved to prioritise solutions to Africa’s most critical challenges: economic, social, and environmental. The organisation has worked to promote investment into the continent’s green economy, as well as its rates of financial inclusion and gender equality. FSD Africa – previously known as Financial Sector Deepening Africa – was founded in 2012 and is based in Nairobi, Kenya. For more information, please visit:https://www.fsdafrica.org

About ClimateWorks Foundation
ClimateWorks Foundation is a catalyst for accelerating climate progress, driving bold solutions that benefit people and the planet. We connect funders and implementing organizations worldwide to create and scale transformative solutions across sectors and geographies, achieving faster, greater impact together. Since 2008, ClimateWorks has granted over $2 billion to more than 850 grantees across 50 countries, working alongside 80 funders.

The post Nigeria’s Heat Crisis Is Fueling a New Wave of Startups appeared first on African Media Agency.

AMA, Business, Technology

Huawei, Meralco, and SANXING Ningbo Launch Intelligent Distribution Solution and Lighthouse Initiative

MaraviPost

BARCELONA, Spain, 6 March 2026-/African Media Agency(AMA)/- During MWC2026, Huawei hosted a forum themed “Advancing All Intelligence, Empowering the Future Power System.” Together with Meralco (Philippines) and SANXING Ningbo, Huawei launched the Intelligent Distribution Solution (IDS) and announced a joint lighthouse initiative to advance power system development.

From left: Simon Zhou (General Manager of Overseas Marketing, SANXING Ningbo), David Sun (CEO, Huawei Electric Power Digitalization BU), Roque D. Bacani (Chief Information Officer, Meralco), and Perry Yang (Vice President, Huawei Optical Business Product Line) launching Huawei IDS

Communication, digitalization, and AI: Emerging cornerstones of future power systems that will accelerate the intelligent evolution of distribution networks

David Sun, CEO of Huawei’s Electric Power Digitalization BU, highlighted four drivers for energy transition: green energy and diversity, resilient grids, transparent distribution, and load electrification. He called for policy changes toward dispatch-market coordination. He also emphasized that communication, digitalization, and AI are becoming core production systems, requiring stronger capabilities in digital transformation, cybersecurity, and sustainable development.

At the forum, Mr. Sun unveiled the White Paper on Communication Target Networks for the Future Power System, introducing a pioneering architecture that features an intelligent and robust main network, integrated medium-voltage and transparent low-voltage networks, high-speed secure connectivity, and space-ground integration. The paper also outlines key tech trends, from optical and wireless to carrier and satellite communications, and underscores their transformative value.

Huawei highlighted its focus on intelligence and digitalization, working with industry players to drive power transformation. Global industry leaders also shared their insights: Al’Louise van Deventer (Technology and Engineering General Manager, Eskom) on future-ready digital practices; Momar Awa Sall (Transmission Grid Director, Senelec) on private wireless networks accelerating power modernization; Deniz COSKUN (Deputy General Manager, TEİAŞ) on restructuring communication networks for grid resilience; and Andy Liu (Overseas Solutions and Marketing Director, SANXING Ningbo) on the application of Huawei IDS.

Global industry leaders and partners join to explore the future of power systems

Power distribution networks are evolving from mechanized to automated and intelligent systems, driving technological and business model innovation. Despite creating new challenges for O&M, they have unlocked further opportunities for improving grid reliability and resource allocation.

At the forum, Huawei, Meralco, and SANXING Ningbo, unveiled the IDS that delivers four core capabilities—reliable communication, edge computing, cloud-edge collaboration, and low-voltage transparency—based on a cloud-pipe-edge-pipe-device architecture. It enables an intelligent low-voltage (400 V) distribution network with controllable line loss, visualized distribution rooms, and manageable renewables, transforming fragmented digital silos into open, integrated digital systems. The three companies also announced a lighthouse showcase initiative, sharing replicable and scalable digital transformation best practices.

Advancing digital and intelligent integration for a greener, more reliable grid

Communication, digitalization, and AI are at the heart of future power systems. Huawei will deepen R&D in digital, intelligent technologies, integrating advanced intelligence into power production. Together with global partners, Huawei is committed to developing with the power industry toward greater reliability, stronger security, and a low-carbon future.

Distributed by African Media Agency (AMA) on behalf of Huawei

The post Huawei, Meralco, and SANXING Ningbo Launch Intelligent Distribution Solution and Lighthouse Initiative appeared first on African Media Agency.

AMA, Education, Health

WHO in Africa launches first-ever prototype competency-based curricula for health professions

MaraviPost

Geneva, Switzerland, 25 November 2025-/African Media Agency(AMA)/-The World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Africa today launched the first-ever Africa Prototype Competency-Based Curricula for ten selected health professions, marking a major turning point in how the region trains, equips and prepares its health workforce for the future. 

The launch, held in Pretoria with satellite events across multiple countries, will signal a decisive shift from outdated, theory-heavy training towards competency-based education that ensures every graduate is ready to deliver safe, high-quality, people-centred care from day one. 

Drawing on the Global Competency and Outcomes Framework for UHC (2022), the new curricula were co-developed through an unprecedented regional collaboration involving more than 300 experts, universities, professional councils, ministries, students and development partners. The process was guided by the Curriculum Development Advisory Group, comprising leading education and practice experts from the continent. 

These prototype curricula provide a continental benchmark for quality and relevance, offering countries a common starting point to modernize national programmes for nurses, midwives, pharmacists, dentists, laboratory scientists and other priority professions.

Why it matters now

Africa’s health workforce has grown from 1.6 million in 2013 to more than 5 million in 2022, yet the continent still faces a projected shortage of 6.1 million health workers by 2030. At the same time, 27% of trained health workers remain unemployed, signalling a disconnect between outdated training models and evolving labour market needs. 

“For too long we have trained for qualifications not for competence. But competence is what saves lives. These curricula position Africa to produce health workers who are competent, ethical, confident and ready to serve their communities with excellence,” said Dr Adelheid Onyango, Director of Health Systems and Services at the WHO Regional Office for Africa. 

The curricula aim to strengthen practical skills and clinical readiness; ethical and professional judgement; emergency and primary care capabilities; adaptability to new technologies, including AI and digital health; and the confidence to deliver quality care in all settings. 

A key ambition is to ensure that a health worker trained in any African country graduates with comparable competencies, enabling smoother mobility, reduced re-examination burden, and stronger integration of Africa’s health labour market. 

The launch coincides with the Member States Consultation on the Africa Health Workforce Agenda 2026–2035: Plan, Train, and Retain, where government officials, regulators, and experts will define strategies to create more jobs, reform education, and improve retention across the continent. The new curricula are expected to serve as a foundational tool to accelerate this transformation. 

WHO is urging countries, universities, regulators and professional associations to adapt the prototype curricula to their national contexts. Next steps include supporting Member States in implementation, developing continental accreditation standards, strengthening regulation to ensure consistent training quality, promoting mutual recognition of qualifications, and moving toward a more integrated African health labour market.

 “We want this to become a continental movement. These curricula are only the beginning. They will anchor a new era of quality, trust, and excellence in Africa’s health workforce,” said Dr Onyango.

Distributed by African Media Agency (AMA) on behalf of Wordl Health Organisation

The post WHO in Africa launches first-ever prototype competency-based curricula for health professions appeared first on African Media Agency.

Travel & Tourism

Luxury Stays At Top Wine Farms In Cape Town

Maravi Post Reporter

Love the atmosphere of sweeping vineyards and hate it when you wine estate visit comes to an end? Now you can book your sleep over experiences at a selection of some of the finest wine farms in the Cape.

Here are some of our top picks:

Benguela Cove Lagoon Wine Estate

Located on the Hermanus Wine Route, the award-winning Benguela Cove stuns with its waterfront villas. These villas are individually decorated with modern finishes and equipped with en-suite bedrooms, high-speed Wi-Fi, private swimming pools, cosy hot tubs, and outdoor braai areas. The accommodation is pet-friendly, so you are welcome to bring along your furry friend. Savour exceptional cuisine at the on-site Moody Lagoon Restaurant, or elevate your stay with personalised private chef services.

Location: R43, Botriver Lagoon Walker Bay, Hermanus.
Website: www.benguelacove.co.za/

Spier Wine Estate

The newly revamped Spier Hotel is a luxe retreat. Designed in a village-style layout, its 80 elegant rooms and suites open onto wild, fynbos-rich gardens. Each space is thoughtfully curated with natural wood finishes, plush textiles, and original works from the Spier Art Collection. For those seeking added privacy, Spier’s Garden and Riverside Villas offer the ultimate escape. These three-bedroom sanctuaries come complete with a private heated pool, outdoor entertainment area, art-filled interiors, and a dedicated team, including a

private chef. There is plenty to see and do on the farm, from wine tasting, heritage walks, art spaces, and a spa.

Location: R310 Baden Powell Dr, Stellenbosch.
Website: www.spier.co.za/stay/

cape winelands spier wine farm

D’Aria Winery

Experience the charm of staying among the vineyards at one of Durbanville’s most celebrated wine farms. D’Aria Winery offers 12 luxury self-catering cottages, equipped with all modern amenities, including a TV, tea and coffee facilities, basic kitchen appliances, and a mini-bar fridge. These cosy cottages feature one double and one twin room, comfortably accommodating up to four guests, a complimentary bottle of wine, and a private braai area. We suggest you enjoy lazy afternoons savouring the estate’s exquisite wine collection, perfectly paired with their delicious cheese boards and platters.

Location: M13 Tygerberg Valley Rd, Durbanville.
Website: www.dariawinery.co.za/

Daria

Rickety Bridge

For a luxurious stay in the heart of the Cape Winelands, Rickety Bridge offers two stunning accommodation options with views of the Franschhoek Mountains. The 5-star Manor House features three elegant en-suite rooms, each with modern comforts like air conditioning, a minibar, premium bedding, and underfloor heating.

Just across the river, the 4-star Basse Provence Country House offers a relaxed countryside stay. It includes a luxury room, a two-bedroom family loft, five en-suite rooms in the Country House, and a private two-bedroom cottage. All rooms come with air conditioning, satellite TV, minibar, and free Wi-Fi. A swimming pool and scenic five-minute walk to Paulina’s Restaurant and the Wine Tasting Centre make it the perfect vineyard escape.

Location: R45, Franschhoek.
Website: www.ricketybridge.com/

Laborie Wine Estate

Tucked at the foot of Paarl Mountain, Laborie Wine Estate offers a serene retreat in the heart of the Cape Winelands. Accommodation includes Werf Luxury Rooms, Werf Deluxe Suites, Vineyard luxury, Vineyard deluxe rooms, Luxury Villa Rooms, and Deluxe Villa Suites, each blending heritage charm with modern comforts like fireplaces, walk-in showers, and lounge areas. The estate features three dining experiences: Stoep, a bistro-style restaurant serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner; Suzanne, where you can enjoy cocktails and tapas; or a romantic, seasonal picnic on the Manor House lawn, complete with a bottle (or two) of Laborie’s finest.

Location: Taillefer Street, Laborie Wine Estate, Paarl.
Website: laborieestate.co.za/

laborie Wine Estate

La Roche Wine Estate

One word comes to mind when visiting La Roche Wine Estate in the Franschhoek Valley: grand. Stay in one of the estate’s luxury self-catering cottages, Chardonnay or Pinot Noir, each sleeping two guests with a king-size bed, a fully equipped kitchen, an indoor fireplace, a braai area, a shower, and a private hot tub. Travelling with family or friends? The Family Suite accommodates up to six guests and features an outdoor boma and pool area. La Roche also offers exclusive wine tastings and immersive vineyard tours.

Location: Robertsvlei Rd, Franschhoek.
Website: www.larocheestate.com/

la roche

Diemersfontein Wine and Country Estate

This Wellington wine and country estate is home to beautifully furnished cottages surrounded by serene gardens and vineyards. Diemersfontein has 22 en-suite guest rooms and a Thulani Cottage for larger groups. The cottage is equipped with a kitchen, a spacious lounge and dining area, a bathroom, 1 double bedroom, two single rooms, and an outdoor seating area. You can experience a curated wine tasting, paired or enjoyed on its own, at the tasting area, followed by a dining experience at Smul restaurant.

Location: Jan van Riebeeck Drive, Wellington.
Website: www.diemersfontein.co.za/

La Petite Ferme

Situated on the slopes of the Oliphants Pass and Middagkrans Mountain Range, La Petite Ferme is an idyllic haven for those seeking a peaceful retreat. Guests can choose to stay at the Manor House, Vineyard Suites, or Winery Suites, each offering breathtaking vistas and uncompromising comfort. In-room amenities include extra-length king-size beds with en-suite bathrooms and underfloor heating, a complimentary stocked minibar, a smart TV, and Wi-Fi. Spoil yourself with gourmet meals at the on-site restaurant, renowned for its farm-to-table cuisine, and a wine tasting experience showcasing their delicious varietals.

Location: Pass Road, Franschhoek.
Website: lapetiteferme.co.za/

Steenberg Wine Estate

This 5-star hotel offers the best in Winelands luxury, with everything from a championship 18-hole golf course to award-winning restaurants. Set against a backdrop of vineyard and mountain views, accommodation ranges from elegant suites and superior rooms to spacious premier, classic, and family rooms. For those seeking extra privacy, two-and three-bedroom villas provide a more exclusive stay.

Food lovers will be in their element. Dine at the elegant Tryn Restaurant, enjoy a curated wine tasting in the mountainside cellar, or savour contemporary tapas at the stylish Bistro Sixteen82. And for the ultimate indulgence, spoil yourself with a luxurious treatment at the hotel’s serene spa.

Location: Steenberg Rd, Tokai, Cape Town.
Website: steenbergfarm.com/hotel/

Jordan Wine Estate

The luxury suites at Jordan Wine Estate offer sweeping panoramas of rolling vineyards and the Stellenbosch Mountains. Each suite blends elegance with comfort. Expect Egyptian cotton linen, a Nespresso coffee machine, free Wi-Fi, a Smart TV, and a stylish en-suite bathroom. Step outside onto your private veranda – the perfect spot for a morning coffee or sunset glass of wine. Most suites also feature a bath, a walk-in shower, a king-sized bed, cosy fireplace, and a separate lounge.

Start your day with a gourmet breakfast or relaxed alfresco lunch at The Cellar Door at Jordan, then immerse yourself in the estate’s rich terroir with a bespoke 360° wine tasting and vineyard tour.

Location: Stellenbosch Kloof Road, Vlottenberg, Stellenbosch.
Website: www.jordanwines.com/stay-with-us/

Brookdale Wine Estate

Brookdale Wine Estate offers a luxurious and tranquil retreat. Choose from five elegant Manor Suites in the main building, or enjoy added privacy in the secluded Vineyard Suite, set in an adjacent building. For the ultimate indulgence, book The Manor House, an exclusive-use villa surrounded by sweeping valleys and wild fynbos. Perfect for families or small groups, it accommodates up to 12 adults and 2 children under 12, and includes the services of a private chef, butler, housekeeper, and villa manager. A minimum two-night stay is required. Your stay includes a daily à la carte breakfast, selected beverages, tea and coffee, and access to a private pool, pool house, terrace, office/study, and fitness room.

Location: Hawequa Bos Pad, Klein Drakenstein Rd, Paarl.
Website: brookdale-estate.com/

 

 

The post Luxury Stays At Top Wine Farms In Cape Town appeared first on Cape Town Tourism.

Lifestyle

Gaza Pressure On Israel, Texas Redistricting, NASA Carbon Dioxide Satellites

Maravi Post Reporter

Israel’s government is considering expanding the war in Gaza despite a growing chorus of voices in Israel calling for an immediate end to the war, Texas Republicans are threatening to arrest Democratic lawmakers unless they return to the statehouse for a redistricting vote, and the Trump administration has plans to end two satellite missions that measure carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

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Lifestyle

Dozens killed in U.S. bombing on Yemeni detention centre for African migrants

Maravi Post Reporter

Yemen’s Houthi authorities on Monday alleged a U.S. airstrike hit a prison holding African migrants, killing at least 68 people and wounding 47 others. The U.S. military had no immediate comment.

The strike in Yemen’s Saada governorate, a stronghold for the Houthis, is the latest incident in the country’s decadelong war to kill African migrants from Ethiopia and other nations who risk crossing the nation for a chance to work in neighboring Saudi Arabia.

Graphic footage shows aftermath of explosion

Graphic footage aired by the Houthis’ al-Masirah satellite news channel showed what appeared to be dead bodies and others wounded at the site. The Interior Ministry said some 115 migrants had been detained at the site.

The Civil Defense agency said at least 68 people had been killed and 47 others wounded in the attack.

Footage from the site analyzed by the AP suggested some kind of explosion took place there, with its cement walls seemingly peppered by debris fragments and the wounds suffered by those there.

A woman’s voice, soft in the footage, can be heard repeating the start of a prayer in Arabic: “In the name of God.” An occasional gunshot rang out as medics sought to help those wounded.

African migrants caught in middle of Yemen’s war

Ethiopians and other African migrants for years have landed in Yemen, braving the war-torn nation to try and reach Saudi Arabia for work. The Houthi rebels allegedly make tens of thousands of dollars a week smuggling migrants over the border.

Migrants from Ethiopia have found themselves detained, abused and even killed in Saudi Arabia and Yemen during the war. An Oct. 3, 2022, letter to the kingdom from the U.N. said its investigators “received concerning allegations of cross-border artillery shelling and small arms fire allegedly by Saudi security forces, causing the deaths of up to 430 and injuring 650 migrants.”

Saudi Arabia has denied killing migrants.

Source: Africanews

https://video.euronews.com/mp4/ED/13/44/78/05/ED_PYR_1344785_20250428162515.mp4
Lifestyle

Amazon launches its first internet satellites to compete against Starlinks

Maravi Post Reporter

Amazon’s first batch of internet satellites rocketed into orbit Monday, the latest entry in the mega constellation market currently dominated by SpaceX’s thousands of Starlinks.

The United Launch Alliance’s Atlas V rocket carried up 27 of Amazon’s Project Kuiper satellites, named after the frigid fringes of our solar system beyond Neptune. Once released in orbit, the satellites will eventually reach an altitude of nearly 400 miles (630 kilometers).

Two test satellites were launched in 2023, also by an Atlas V. Project officials said major upgrades were made to the newest version. The latest satellites also are coated with a mirror film designed to scatter reflected sunlight in an attempt to accommodate astronomers.

Stargazers oppose the fast-growing constellations of low-orbiting satellites, arguing they spoil observations. Others fear more satellite collisions.

Founded by Jeff Bezos, who now runs his own rocket company, Blue Origin, Amazon aims to put more than 3,200 of these satellites into orbit to provide fast, affordable broadband service around the globe.

Elon Musk’s SpaceX already has launched more than 8,000 Starlinks since 2019. The company marked its 250th Starlink launch Sunday night. More than 7,000 Starlinks are still in orbit some 300-plus miles (550 kilometers) above Earth.

The European-based OneWeb satellite constellation numbers in the hundreds in an even higher orbit.

Amazon already has purchased dozens of rocket launches from United Launch Alliance and Blue Origin for Project Kuiper, as well as others.

“There are some things you can only learn in flight” despite extensive testing on the ground, said Rajeev Badyal, the project’s vice president.

“No matter how the mission unfolds, this is just the start of our journey,” he said in a statement ahead of the evening liftoff.

The first liftoff attempt earlier this month was nixed by bad weather. It took until now to secure another spot in the launch lineup at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

Source: Africanews

https://video.euronews.com/mp4/ED/13/51/75/03/ED_PYR_1351753_20250429060426.mp4