Ethiopian officials announced that the country had successfully launched its first satellite into orbit.
The satellite, which was developed with engineers from China, marks the country's first foray into space and a milestone for its three-year-old space program, according to The Associated Press.
“This is a day we became one of the 70 countries in the world that operate a satellite from space,” said Ahmedin Mohammed, an official at Ethiopia’s Innovation and Technology Ministry, the AP reported. “The next step is to launch a communication satellite and also set up a space materials assembly and manufacturing facility here in Ethiopia.”
Development of the satellite reportedly cost $8 million, with China covering $6 million.
Data provided by Ethiopia's satellite is expected to paint a fuller picture of the country's agriculture, forestry and mining resources and improve responses to flooding and other disasters
The satellite was reportedly launched from China's Shanxi Province, while a control center directing the launch was centered in the outskirts of Ethiopia's capital, Addis Ababa.