In January 2024, the Senegalese Space Agency ASES (Agence Sénégalaise d’Études Spatiales) signed a strategic cooperation agreement with French startup Prométhée Earth Intelligence to develop and deploy its first constellation of EO nanosatellites by 2028. The constellation, initially composed of 5 to 8 satellites built by Hemeria, will include advanced systems for control, mission management, and data processing.

Prerequisites:

• Understand EO data needs in your nation

• Identify owner/operator of the satellite

• Prepare ground infrastructure and expertise to operate satellite or procure Ground Segment-as-a-Service

• Government program authorization & multi‑year budget

• Procurement authority

Cost:

• Ballpark: USD 30–300 M (depending on constellation size and resolution)

• Includes: mission and payload procurement, assembly/integration/verification (AIV) and testing, licensing and data policy, launch and insurance, ground segment and operations, training and technology transfer

Timeframe:

• Overall: 36–72 mo

• Phase: requirements definition & contracting (6–12 mo), design & procurement (12–18 mo), build/integration & testing (18–30 mo), launch & commissioning (6–12 mo)

Pros:

• Timeline Efficiency - Eliminates the need to develop new technology or systems from scratch, enabling rapid technology integration.

• Low-Risk - As the technology is already demonstrated and used

Considerations:

• Risk of Ineffectiveness - Procuring a satellite directly may not enable technology transfer or capacity building and some information may be kept as a black box

• Potentially Expensive - procuring a satellite requires having ground and data analysis capabilities.