Year born: 1978
Research Areas: Space missions coordination, asteroids, and education
"Space is open for everyone; it belongs to everyone."
Source: Maram Kaire, Star Chasers of Senegal documentary.
Early Life
Maram Kaire was born in Dakar, Senegal, in 1978. Since he was 12, he has been interested in astronomy. He read books about space and even built a telescope at the age of 14! At the time, astronomy was not popular in Senegal.
There weren't many jobs or courses in the field. His parents did not want him to study space, so he chose computer science instead. Later, he moved to France to study Systems and Network Engineering. After that, he returned to Senegal to inspire his country's interest in space.
Career Highlights
Maram was determined to build a space programme in Senegal. He created the Senegalese Association for the Promotion of Astronomy. He also helped to found the African Astronomical Society.
He leads projects to teach people about space, such as the Spacebus. This is a bus which travels around villages in Senegal, showing people the stars. Maram led three NASA missions that observed three asteroids in the solar system as they passed in front of stars. The data from these missions will help NASA's Lucy mission when it flies past the asteroid Orus on its way to Jupiter.
He is Senegal's National Astronomy Education Coordinator and helped to start university courses in space science. He also helped to launch Senegal's first satellite, Gaindesat-1A. It was launched on August 16, 2024. It monitors the environment, helping with weather forecasts and aviation safety. He is the managing director of AFRICASPACE, helping African countries to build their own space programme.
Maram is the first person from Senegal to have an object in the solar system named after him: the asteroid Maramkaire.
Legacy
Maram's work has changed how people in Senegal view astronomy. He inspires people to choose careers in space. In 2022, he won the Cauris d'Or award for science.
In 2023, he became the first African to win the Marcel-Moye Prize from the French Astronomical Society. He won these for his contributions to the growth of astronomy in Senegal and Africa, as well as for his work with NASA.
He was knighted by the National Order of the Lion in Senegal for his service to the country.
Other Interests
Maram is interested in the history of astronomy and how ancient cultures used the stars in their daily lives. In 2024, he was in a documentary called "Star Chasers of Senegal." In it, he explores Senegal's ancient history of astronomy and encourages people to connect with space through their culture.