Kenya Advances Space Cooperation Through Industry Engagements in China
The Kenya Space Agency (KSA) has concluded a series of engagements with Chinese space companies and institutions, exploring partnerships spanning satellite manufacturing, launch infrastructure, ground systems, space data and human capital development.
Led by KSA Director General Maj Gen Hillary Kipkosgey, the delegation visited space industry and research facilities in Shandong and Beijing between 12 and 16 October 2026, gaining exposure to multiple segments of China’s space ecosystem.
STAR.VISION Engagement Explores Satellite Manufacturing and Data Infrastructure
The delegation began its industrial engagements on 12 October with visits to space facilities in Shandong Province. At STAR.VISION, the KSA team toured the company’s ground station, data centre and Assembly, Integration and Test (AIT) facilities, where it was introduced to satellite manufacturing processes and data operations.
The delegation also visited Orienspace’s rocket factory, where it observed rocket assembly processes, before touring Haiyang Oriental’s land-based, maritime and ship-based spaceport platforms. The visits provided the agency with exposure to the infrastructure supporting satellite production, launch, and space-based data services, highlighting the links between different parts of the space industrial chain.
KSA and Emposat Discuss Ground Station and Communications Capabilities
On 15 October, the delegation visited Emposat Co. Ltd, a Beijing-based commercial NewSpace company specialising in telemetry, tracking and command services, ground-station development and integrated space-ground communications. Major General Kipkosgey met with Emposat Chairman and co-founder Zhao Lei to discuss potential areas of cooperation focused on strengthening Kenya’s national space capabilities.
The engagement comes as Kenya continues to develop capabilities around the operation and utilisation of space systems, where ground infrastructure and communications are critical to receiving, managing and using data from satellites.
Beihang Strengthens Links with Kenya on Aerospace Education
The KSA delegation also visited Beihang University, the Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, on 15 October, and met with senior university leadership led by Vice President Prof Zhao Weisheng. The meeting brought together KSA officials and three Kenyan postgraduate students currently studying at the university. Professor Zhao outlined Beihang’s collaboration with Chinese aerospace companies and international partners, including Kenyan universities and other institutions, particularly in human capital development and research and development.
The university currently has nine Kenyan students enrolled across undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, including aerospace engineering. Beihang also hosts a Centre for Space Studies accredited by the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) for the Asia-Pacific region. The university is planning to establish a Sino-Africa school in Morocco to serve as its African headquarters and is also considering establishing an alumni association for African students.
KSA Director General called for stronger cooperation between Beihang and KSA in aerospace education and human capital development, including through the university’s space studies initiatives. He also committed to supporting the proposed alumni association for African students. The engagement builds on the broader educational links between Kenya and China, with Kipkosgey acknowledging China’s support for Kenyan students through scholarship programmes at institutions including Beihang.
MinoSpace Discussions Target Satellite Manufacturing and Data Access
The KSA’s China engagements concluded on 16 October with a visit to MinoSpace, a Beijing-based commercial aerospace company specialising in satellite design and manufacturing. MinoSpace develops small- to large-scale satellite systems, including optical and synthetic aperture radar satellites, as well as other satellite products.
Director General Kipkosgey met with senior MinoSpace leadership, led by co-founder Huan Yiheng, to discuss potential cooperation in strengthen Kenya’s national space capabilities. Areas discussed included capacity building, access to satellite data, and the development of upstream and downstream capabilities.
The delegation also toured MinoSpace’s Assembly, Integration and Test facility in Beijing’s Haidian District, providing an opportunity to observe the company’s satellite manufacturing operations.
For Kenya, the next stage will be to translate these engagements into concrete partnerships, capacity-building programmes, and access to technologies and expertise that can contribute to the country’s national space capabilities.