SANSA is mandated by the SANSA Act, 36 of 2008, to:

Promote the peaceful use of space, foster international cooperation in space-related activities and create an environment conducive to industrial development in space technology through research, human capital development, outreach programmes and infrastructure development.

Our value proposition is to create:

• Societal capital - world-class and efficient services and societal benefits
• Intellectual capital - cutting-edge research, development, innovation, technology and its applications
• Human capital - effective human capital development and citizenry engagement
• Economic capital - globally competitive space industry and space applications
• Global capital - South Africa as a recognised global space citizen.

Our impact is derived from merging and repackaging the existing national capacity, competence, experience, skills and expertise in space science and technology into six thematic focus areas:

Earth Observation

Collect, process and distribute earth observation data to support South Africa's policy-making, decision-making, planning, disaster management, resource & environmental management, economic growth and sustainable development initiatives.

Space Operations

Providing state-of-the-art ground station facilities and services, including satellite tracking, telemetry and command as well as launch support, in-orbit testing, mission control and satellite-based navigation.

Space Science

Creating and utilising knowledge, developing human capital and advancing science by studying everything above the surface of the Earth, from the planet’s atmosphere to the edges of the universe.

Space Engineering

Leading the technical development of space systems and sub-systems by operating a national assembly, integration and test (AIT) facility and supplying related services locally and internationally.

Space Advancement and Public Engagement

Increasing the uptake and appreciation of science among our youth and improving the overall scientific literacy and engagement of the general public.

Human Capital Development

Training South Africans in key areas of national importance, developing scarce and transferable skills and contributing to transforming the country into a knowledge-based economy.