Elon Musk's company confirmed the separation of the Taifa-1 satellite about an hour after take off from California.

It was developed by a team of Kenyan researchers with the help of a Bulgarian aerospace company.

The aim is to collect data to help predict crop yields in Kenya and improve food security.

Kenya's satellite was one of a number to be launched from the SpaceX Falcon-9 under the firm's rideshare programme.