20–27 Mar 2026
Wild View Resorts
Africa/Gaborone timezone

Acquisition, Analysis and Documentation of Data with the Zambia Ground Receiver Station (GRS)

Not scheduled
20m
Wild View Resorts

Wild View Resorts

Plot 80 President Avenue, Kasane, Botswana
Online - Poster Presentation 10 S&E poster Science & Engineering

Speaker

Mr Emmanuel Nelson (The Copperbelt University, Zambia)

Description

The Zambia Ground Receiving Station (GRS) is the country’s first satellite data acquisition facility, established on a 7.3-m antenna platform to strengthen national infrastructure for Earth observation. The system is engineered to track and receive data from low-Earth-orbit satellites, including TERRA/AQUA, MODIS, Landsat 8, and Landsat 9, through dedicated S-band and X-band subsystems. The S-band operates at 2025–2120 MHz with selectable LHCP/RHCP polarization, while the X-band subsystem (7450–9000 MHz) provides simultaneous dual-polarization capability for high-throughput data reception. The station supports multiple tracking auto-monopulse, manual, and program tracking-ensuring robust and reliable satellite acquisition.
Leveraging these technical capabilities, we developed comprehensive documentation and operational data-acquisition protocols that now guide the National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) in procuring, processing, and applying satellite imagery for national use. The establishment of this station significantly enhances Zambia’s Earth observation capacity, enabling timely access to remote-sensing data crucial for environmental monitoring, resource management, and national development planning.

Stream Science or Engineering

Primary author

Mr Emmanuel Nelson (The Copperbelt University, Zambia)

Co-authors

Dr SaulPaul Phiri (The Copperbelt University, Zambia) Mr Prospery Simpemba (The Copperbelt University, Zambia)

Presentation materials

There are no materials yet.