Date: 31/07/2006
Source: Department of Science and Technology
Title: Mangena: South African Low Earth Orbiting Micro-satellite
Address by the honourable Minister of Science and Technology, Mr Mosibudi Mangena, at the announcement of the South African micro-satellite, Scientia Park, Pretoria
Director-General, Phil Mjwara,
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and gentlemen:
Today’s function marks another milestone in space science and technology. Recent developments demonstrate South Africa’s commitment to participate meaningfully in global satellite observation and engineering. A number of government departments namely defence, communications, land affairs and agriculture, provincial and local government and science and technology including Statistics South Africa have invested significantly in a three year inter-governmental licensing for the acquisition of spot satellite imagery.
South Africa has also re-established the Space Affairs Council to regulate space activities while my Department is leading the process of establishing a space agency for South Africa. The agency will contribute to the country’s economic growth and create opportunities for graduates in space science, engineering and technology.
Last October we announced a three year integrated capacity building and satellite development programme. The University of Stellenbosch has been tasked with the development of a Low Earth Orbiting (LEO) satellite and academic training programme. This programme is well underway and the launch of the South African LEO micro-satellite is planned for December 2006 in Russia. A qualification review of the South African micro-satellite established good progress last month. The project timelines are well on schedule and the internship programme is gaining momentum.
The LEO micro-satellite is an Earth observation satellite system and its main payload is a remote sensing camera. The secondary payload is a telecommunications system funded by the Department of Communications and other experimental payloads have been developed by various academic institutions in South Africa.
The LEO micro-satellite will generate satellite imagery at 6,25 meter ground sampling distance. The satellite imagery will support decision making in for example, natural resource management, disaster management, agriculture, urban planning and other applications. Five universities conducting experiments for experimental payloads will present the scientific community with exciting results in low frequency radio waves, radiation, software defined radio, forced vibrating string and radio amateur transponder.
The LEO micro-satellite will also strengthen South Africa’s role in national, regional and international space initiatives that are already in progress. These initiatives include the South African Environmental Observations Network (SAEON) and the African Resource and Environmental Programme (ARM). It will also strengthen South Africa’s technological capability and innovation.
The South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (SAASTA) was contracted to run a satellite naming competition among high school learners. A total of 50 000 entry forms were printed and distributed by SAASTA to high school learners in all nine provinces. More than three thousand entries were received by SAASTA on the closing date of the competition. The entries came from all over South Africa with a significant number from rural areas.
Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, I have given you a brief outline of our space science, engineering and technology activities and it gives me pleasure to announce the winners of the satellite naming competition. I am told a panel of seven judges from the University of Stellenbosch, Sunspace, Department of Science and Technology (DST), Department of Communication, Department of Trade and Industry and the CSIR-Satellite Application Centre convened at SAASTA to shortlist three candidates from the entries. And the criteria set by the judges were that the name should reflect a South African identity, technological advancement, hope and a brighter future for the country.
Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, the name of South African Low Earth Orbiting micro-satellite is Sumbandila, which means ‘lead the way.’
Issued by: Department of Science and Technology
31 July 2006
Source: Department of Science and Technology
Title: Mangena: South African Low Earth Orbiting Micro-satellite
Address by the honourable Minister of Science and Technology, Mr Mosibudi Mangena, at the announcement of the South African micro-satellite, Scientia Park, Pretoria
Director-General, Phil Mjwara,
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and gentlemen:
Today’s function marks another milestone in space science and technology. Recent developments demonstrate South Africa’s commitment to participate meaningfully in global satellite observation and engineering. A number of government departments namely defence, communications, land affairs and agriculture, provincial and local government and science and technology including Statistics South Africa have invested significantly in a three year inter-governmental licensing for the acquisition of spot satellite imagery.
South Africa has also re-established the Space Affairs Council to regulate space activities while my Department is leading the process of establishing a space agency for South Africa. The agency will contribute to the country’s economic growth and create opportunities for graduates in space science, engineering and technology.
Last October we announced a three year integrated capacity building and satellite development programme. The University of Stellenbosch has been tasked with the development of a Low Earth Orbiting (LEO) satellite and academic training programme. This programme is well underway and the launch of the South African LEO micro-satellite is planned for December 2006 in Russia. A qualification review of the South African micro-satellite established good progress last month. The project timelines are well on schedule and the internship programme is gaining momentum.
The LEO micro-satellite is an Earth observation satellite system and its main payload is a remote sensing camera. The secondary payload is a telecommunications system funded by the Department of Communications and other experimental payloads have been developed by various academic institutions in South Africa.
The LEO micro-satellite will generate satellite imagery at 6,25 meter ground sampling distance. The satellite imagery will support decision making in for example, natural resource management, disaster management, agriculture, urban planning and other applications. Five universities conducting experiments for experimental payloads will present the scientific community with exciting results in low frequency radio waves, radiation, software defined radio, forced vibrating string and radio amateur transponder.
The LEO micro-satellite will also strengthen South Africa’s role in national, regional and international space initiatives that are already in progress. These initiatives include the South African Environmental Observations Network (SAEON) and the African Resource and Environmental Programme (ARM). It will also strengthen South Africa’s technological capability and innovation.
The South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (SAASTA) was contracted to run a satellite naming competition among high school learners. A total of 50 000 entry forms were printed and distributed by SAASTA to high school learners in all nine provinces. More than three thousand entries were received by SAASTA on the closing date of the competition. The entries came from all over South Africa with a significant number from rural areas.
Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, I have given you a brief outline of our space science, engineering and technology activities and it gives me pleasure to announce the winners of the satellite naming competition. I am told a panel of seven judges from the University of Stellenbosch, Sunspace, Department of Science and Technology (DST), Department of Communication, Department of Trade and Industry and the CSIR-Satellite Application Centre convened at SAASTA to shortlist three candidates from the entries. And the criteria set by the judges were that the name should reflect a South African identity, technological advancement, hope and a brighter future for the country.
Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, the name of South African Low Earth Orbiting micro-satellite is Sumbandila, which means ‘lead the way.’
Issued by: Department of Science and Technology
31 July 2006
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