Speaker
Description
This research proposal investigates the impact of Botswana’s indigenous satellite, BOTSAT-1, on enhancing the operational capabilities of the Botswana Defence Force Air Arm Command (BDF AAC). Recognising the growing strategic importance of space technology in military operations globally, the study focuses on how BOTSAT-1’s hyperspectral imaging payload can be systematically integrated into AAC’s air operations to improve intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), border monitoring, anti-poaching efforts, and disaster response. Despite Botswana’s achievement in launching BOTSAT-1, there is a notable absence of a structured framework to leverage its data for military purposes, leading to underutilisation and continued reliance on costly conventional aerial patrols.
The proposal outlines a mixed-methods research design grounded in pragmatic philosophy, combining qualitative interviews with key military officers, policy, and technical stakeholders, documentary analysis, and quantitative cost-modelling. This approach aims to assess current ISR gaps, quantify cost-efficiency gains from satellite-enabled operations, and explore integration challenges related to capacity, doctrine, and interoperability within the AAC and regional security frameworks.
The conceptual framework situates BOTSAT-1’s value at the intersection of enhanced ISR capabilities, cost-effectiveness, and organisational capacity for integration. The research acknowledges potential limitations including restricted access to classified data, limited sample size, and the evolving nature of BOTSAT-1’s operational use, which will be mitigated through triangulation and scenario-based analysis. The expected outcome is an evidence-based BOTSAT-1 Integration Framework that guides the AAC in incorporating satellite data into mission planning and decision-making, thus promoting strategic autonomy, operational efficiency, and sustainable security capabilities.
This study holds academic significance by expanding knowledge on military space integration in developing African states and practical relevance by supporting Botswana’s Vision 2036 and continental strategies like the African Union Agenda 2063. Ultimately, it aims to position Botswana as a regional leader in space-enabled military innovation, contributing to enhanced national and regional security.
| Stream | Science or Engineering |
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