The Ethiopian Space Science Society was established in 2004 by 47 founding members. It is a non-profit organisation of professionals in astronomy, astrophysics, space science and technology and related fields, together with individual and institutional members who share an interest in them.
Today it has more than 20,000 individual members, 32 branch associations, 71 institutional members and over 100 space school clubs.
Foster the development of competent professionals in the field, from technician to technologist and scientist.
Summer Space Training Space Internship Programme Teacher Training Programme
Build institutional capacity and infrastructure, to develop competent people and to conduct research.
Take every measure needed to create awareness, and to develop knowledge and skill in space science and technology.
Develop the field's people, above all in its first-priority areas, and build the institutions it needs for training and research.
Build strong links between the public and private sectors, so they work together toward the vision and mission and the field grows faster.
+39 more founding members
The Society was established in 2004 by 47 founding members as a non-profit for astronomy, astrophysics, space science and technology.
02 · Infrastructure
In 2012 the Society built the Entoto Observatory and Research Center, later transferred to the Ministry of Science and Technology. It now leads the Lalibela Research and Astronomical Observatory Project (LRAOP), its flagship initiative.
03 · From 2017
The first Astrobus tour in 2017, then from 2018 the Summer Public Lecture Series, International Observe the Moon Night and monthly stargazing brought space science out of the lecture hall.
04 · From 2018
Summer Space Training began in 2018 and has since run thirteen cohorts in seven cities. Alongside it, teacher training, internships and, from 2026, a mentored research programme take students from first interest towards real work.
05 · Today
More than 20,000 members, 32 branch associations, over 100 space school clubs and 71 institutional members now carry the Society's work across the country.
06 · Next
A Youth Wing launched in 2026, and new agreements with the African Astronomical Society and Cross U of Japan connect Ethiopian members to the wider space community.
Founder and former patron
A former Minister of Capacity Building of Ethiopia, and the Society's founding patron.
Businessman and benefactor
An Ethiopian-Saudi businessman whose support paid for most of the Entoto Observatory and Research Center, which the Society built: about 85 per cent of its cost.
Physicist
A physicist who taught astrophysics at Addis Ababa University, with a doctorate from the University of California, Riverside. He helped found the Ethiopian Space Science and Technology Institute.
Jurist
A jurist who chaired the National Election Board of Ethiopia after 1991, then served as President of the Federal Supreme Court from 1996 to 2009. He studied law at Addis Ababa University.
Astrophysicist
An astrophysicist who directed the Entoto Observatory and Research Center, and was later the first Director General of the Ethiopian Space Science and Technology Institute, from 2016 to 2020. His doctorate is from the University of Gothenburg, with Addis Ababa University.
Founding member
One of the founding members who set up the Society in 2004.
Cosmologist
A cosmologist who directs the Centre for Space Research at North-West University in South Africa, and President of the African Astronomical Society. He studied physics at Addis Ababa University and took his doctorate at the University of Cape Town.
Founder and board member
A founder of the Society and its former Managing Director, and today a member of its Board of Directors.
Figures as published by the Society in 2026.
Six ways the Society turns curiosity about the sky into skills, careers and a scientific culture.
Public engagement
Monthly stargazing with telescopes and invited experts, and a public lecture series that has brought space professionals from Ethiopia and abroad to the public since 2018.
Training
Summer Space Training, Space Practicals and teacher training — basic astronomy, aerospace engineering and satellite technology, taught by ESSS professionals.
Schools & branches
32 branch associations and 100+ space school clubs run their own observations, events and outreach — each one led by members in its own city.
Youth
The Youth Space Ambassador award has recognised young members since 2018, and the Youth Wing launched in 2026.
Infrastructure
The Society established the Entoto Observatory and Research Center, since transferred to the government, and leads the Lalibela Research and Astronomical Observatory Project.
Partnerships
Agreements with the African Astronomical Society and Cross U, and citizen science with IASC, Zooniverse and Las Cumbres Observatory, connect members with the wider space community.
From the first observatory in Addis Ababa in 1957 to today: the Society's milestones, alongside the country's.
The Society Ethiopia — the country's space story, not ESSS's own
The Society's patrons, its Board of Directors and the staff who run it day to day.
Meet the team →Membership is open to individuals, institutions and school clubs.