Tunisia announces launch of first home-made satellite named Challenge ONE

Tunisia has launched its first home-made satellite. Challenge ONE was launched on 22 March with the help of a Russian launching rocket from a base in Kazakhstan.

Challenge ONE is a research and innovation project that offers a new approach to information technology and its practical application.

Tunisia’s first satellite, Challenge ONE has been launched onboard Soyuz-2 rocket from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

It was announced in 2019 by Tunisian aerospace and telecommunications company, Telnet, after it entered an agreement with the Russian operator of commercial launches of Soyuz-2 rockets, GK Launch Services. According to the agreement, Challenge ONE will be a precursor for a constellation of 30 satellites to be launched by 2023.

Challenge ONE is a research and innovation project that offers a new approach to information technology and its practical application.

It is designed and developed exclusively by Tunisian skills, and will allow communication and data exchange in many areas including control, transport, agriculture and logistics by receiving data and sending it to suppliers around the world.

Speaking about the launch, Tunisian President Kais Saied said: “This event reflects the aspiration of Tunisia and young Tunisians to exceed the limits of the earth.”

Mohamed Frikha, Chief Executive Officer of Telnet Group, added: “It is the fruit of a whole generation of culture and knowledge as well as the work of 20 Tunisian engineers supervised by Telnet. This satellite is only the first step towards space which will be followed by others.”