The workshop on designing an educational satellite (CanSat), held by the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), in Burkina Faso, in partnership with the Ministry of Higher Education, Scientific Research and Innovation, and in cooperation with the National Commission for UNESCO and ICESCO, concluded with the successful launch of a CanSat from the city of Koudougou.

This workshop, which was held December 26-29, 2022, for the benefit of African researchers and university students, in the presence of officials, experts and international researchers in space science, included a theoretical part for the presentation of CanSat and the relevant technologies, followed by practical workshops on the use of the accelerometer, magnetometer and gyroscope sensor, in addition to the collection and analysis of data, the development and experimentation of landing systems using fabric parachutes.

Following the success of the test launch, the workshop participants returned from Koudougou to the capital Ouagadougou to participate in the closing ceremony, on Thursday, December 29, 2022, at the headquarters of the Higher Institute of Electrical Engineering. At the beginning of this ceremony, they delivered a speech in which they expressed their satisfaction with the workshop, which aimed to strengthen their capacity in space technology and contribute to the development of this field in their countries.

For his part, Mr. Innocent Compaoré, Director General of the Institute, stressed the importance of the workshop for the students of Burkina Faso and expressed his gratitude for hosting such event, in partnership with the Ministry and ICESCO. Dr. Alim Rustem Aslan, Professor of Aerospace Engineering at the University of Istanbul, who led the workshop, congratulated the participating students for their commitment and diligence during all phases of the educational satellite design, data collection and analysis.

In his address, Dr. Muhammad Sharif, Advisor at the Science and Technology Sector of ICESCO, commended the efforts of all parties who contributed to the success of this training workshop, and reaffirmed the Organization’s commitment to supporting the capacities of youth in Africa. Dr. Fatié Ouattara, Secretary-General of Burkina Faso National Commission for UNESCO and ICESCO, and Dr. Frédéric Ouattara, former Minister of Higher Education, Research and Innovation, expressed their willingness to cooperate with ICESCO in the implementation of programs and projects aimed at achieving sustainable development and promoting the capacities of youth.

During the closing ceremony, certificates were awarded to the students who participated in this event, and tribute was paid to the experts and officials for having ensured the success of this 2nd edition of the workshop on the design of CanSat in Burkina Faso.