Space in South Africa
The first images of the surface of Mars from Mariner IV were received at NASA Deep Space Station 51 in Hartebeesthoek, near Krugersdorp.
South Africa has a rich heritage of involvement in space science and technology. The country's involvement in modern astronomy dates to 1685. In 1820, a permanent observatory was established outside Cape Town. Astronomy has been practised continuously since then, an uninterrupted history of scientific endeavours spanning more than 180 years and culminating with the construction of the Southern African Large Telescope in Sutherland. The country has been an active participant in the exploration of space since the dawn of the Space Age. From the 1950's to the 1970's satellites were tracked to determine the effects of the upper atmosphere on their orbits. Lunar and interplanetary missions were supported from a tracking station at Hartebeesthoek (near Krugersdorp). This station received the images of the planet Mars taken by the Mariner IV spacecraft - the first images of Mars and of another planet to be received on Earth. In the 1980's South Africa commenced work on a launcher and satellite but this was discontinued in 1994. In 1999 South Africa launched its first satellite, Sunsat. This 64-kg microsatellite was built by staff and students at the University of Stellenbosch. The team that built Sunsat is presently planning a second, more capable, South African satellite.
Sunsat
South Africa has a variety of institutions that play a significant role in the scientific study, exploration and utilisation of space. These institutions, situated in academia, the science councils and industry, have broad competencies in satellite applications, satellite engineering and space science, and all their supporting technologies. The existing infrastructure and skilled workforce, both inside these facilities and in wider industry supporting them, allow South Africa to position itself as a regional hub of space science and technology. This can be used as a basis for strengthening ties with industry in established space-faring nations, and for developing links with other emerging national space initiatives, particularly in Africa.The link at the right gives an overview of the space science and technology arena in South Africa.
Discussing space law at the United Nations.
South Africa is active participant in the international space arena. South African space professionals participate in numerous specialist and political forums, such as the United Nations Committee on the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space. The primary South African legislative instrument governing the regulation of both governmental and non-governmental space-related activities is the Space Affairs Act, No. 84 of 2 July 1993, as amended by the Space Affairs Amendment Act, No. 64 of 6 October 1995. Section 4 of the Space Affairs Act establishes the South African Council for Space Affairs under the authority of the Minister of Trade and Industry to implement the regulatory, monitoring and registration functions of the Act. South Africa is a signatory to several international space treaties governing the space activities of States and national space law has been adopted in accordance with these treaties.
Given the accelerating pace of space science and technology developments in South Africa, there is a growing need for a clear national policy on space science and technology issues as well as a discussion on a possible future space agency. In 2003, a number of government departments established the National Working Group on Space Science and Technology to initiate and coordinate these processes. The emphasis in policy development would be on linking space to national priorities, particularly with regard to issues of poverty reduction, economic opportunity, technological empowerment and improved quality of life.
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