The Kenya Space Agency (KSA) is set to make history on August 5, this year, as it is set host the country’s first-ever live radio contact with an astronaut aboard the International Space Station (ISS).
In a statement on Friday, July 31, 2026, the space agency announced that the event will take place at the Shree Cutch Satsang Swaminarayan Academy in Lang’ata, Nairobi, beginning at 1pm.
According to the statement, a live communication will be conducted under the Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) programme.
This is an internationally recognised initiative that connects students, educators and members of the public with astronauts orbiting the Earth.
The event is reportedly designed to inspire the next generation of Kenyan scientists, engineers and space professionals by giving them a rare opportunity to interact directly with an astronaut in space.
“On 5 August 2026, the Kenya Space Agency (KSA) will host Kenya’s first live Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact. This educational initiative will link a Kenyan audience directly with an astronaut in orbit aboard the International Space Station (ISS),” KSA stated.
During the event, students are expected to ask a series of pre-selected questions, which will be answered live by an astronaut aboard the International Space Station (ISS) as it passes within radio range of Kenya.
Additionally, the communication will be made possible through amateur radio technology, which allows specially equipped ground stations on Earth to establish direct contact with the ISS without relying on internet or satellite phone services.
