The USGS Landsat International Cooperator Network, in coordination with the South African National Space Agency (SANSA), will be hosting the first in person Landsat Ground Station Operators Working Group (LGSOWG) #50 meeting since 2019 in Pretoria, South Africa during the......
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ANNOUNCEMENT: To Earth Observation Community ANNOUNCEMENT FOR THE NEW DATES OF THE NEW EARTH OBSERVATION FRONTIERS (NEOFRONTIERS) LAUNCH AND INFORMATION SESSION. It is with great pleasure to announce the new dates for the NEOFrontiers launch and information session. The new......
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A new tool providing spatial information layers showing potential flood inundation scenarios alongside human settlement layers and allowing rapid visual assessment of areas most vulnerable to flood damage has been developed at the South African National Space Agency. The Flood......
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The South African National Space Agency (SANSA) together with its international stakeholders have obtained the Earth Observation Satellite Imagery in the areas that are affected by floods in KwaZulu Natal and some parts of the Eastern Cape. The intelligence derived......
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SANSA’s Earth Observation team and the National Research Foundation (NRF) hosted a workshop with the Earth observation community in December 2021. The following important topics were discussed: An overview of SANSA’s strategic thinking and long-term R&D for national capabilities:......
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When you think of space exploration, the first things that come to mind are probably astronauts and exciting spaceship voyages to discover new planets. Not many people immediately think of software development. While astronauts tend to get all the......
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SANSA’s African Instrumentation Network is a project developed to support the flow of real-time data to the new operational Space Weather Centre. These ground based instruments monitors the upper atmosphere and provides data to researchers who monitor the effects......
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SANSA Hermanus has successfully completed its Stage 2 ISO Certification Audit for ISO9001: 2015. The result was “Recommendation for Certification”. A combined sigh of relief was felt throughout the Hermanus Campus recently when the team learned that Hermanus was......
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Move over Top Gun … South Africa has just deployed its constellation of nanosatellites to monitor the marine environment called MDASats! On 13 January 2022, a Falcon 9 rocket, designed, developed, assembled and operated by renowned company SpaceX, founded......
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Phase 1 of SANSA’s 24/7 Operational Space Weather Centre build has been completed. This includes the construction of the Space Weather Centre, guest accommodation, generator house and civil works. Minor touch-ups and a final coat of paint are all......
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The SANSA Space Operations team at Hartebeeshoek is currently supporting the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) T mission aboard the Atlas 5 (AV-095) rocket. “GOES-T is a new weather satellite by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) commissioned to......
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As autumn turns to winter, it heralds a change at SANSA. The tenure of its CEO over the past five years, Dr Valanthan Munsami, has ended. During his term he ensured that significant progress was made to elevate the......
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POSTPONEMENT OF NEW EARTH OBSERVATION FRONTIERS (NEOFRONTIERS) INFORMATION SESSION. With deep regret we would like to inform all the stakeholders that due to unforeseen circumstances the NEOFrontiers launch and information session, planned for 11 April 2021, has been postponed. New......
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New research [1] predicts that the new solar cycle (SC25) is going to be stronger than initially expected. It is now believed solar cycle (SC25) will be at similar intensity as SC23 which brought us the famous Halloween Storm of......
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INVITATION: New Earth Observation Frontiers (NEOFrontiers)Launch You are cordially Invited to the NEOFrontiers launch event that will provide information and highlights of the impact of the NEOFrontiers Programme, showcase projects that received funding from 2021 and invite new applications from......
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Register at https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJAodu2tqTIsGtX5g2MLiRVVUKqUKo1N-JsL ...
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Dear Stakeholder We regret to inform you that the above-scheduled event is postponed until further notice, due to a recent directive issued by the National Treasury on the ongoing case between the Minister of Finance vs AFRI business ZACC 4......
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04 March 2022 On Wednesday, 2 March 2022, the SANSA Space Operations team at Hartebeeshoek supported the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) T mission aboard the Atlas 5 (AV-095) rocket. GOES-T is a new weather satellite by National Oceanic and......
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Following the resignation of Dr Val Munsami as CEO of SANSA for a remarkable tenure over the past five years, the Agency reins have now been handed confidently to the capable hands of Ms Andiswa Mlisa. Ms Mlisa who has......
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Farewell Dr Munsami and welcome to Interim CEO The South African National Space Agency (SANSA), in its 11th year of operation announces the resignation of Dr Valanathan Munsami from the employ of the Agency. Dr Munsami has been CEO for......
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Sponsored Specialised Training in Machine Learning for Earth Observation with Application in Agriculture Are you (or your staff or your students) keen on taking machine learning and remote sensing to smart agriculture? As part of FAIR Forward’s goal on capacity......
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Dear Stakeholder, You are kindly invited to participate in the 4th SA-GEO symposium and 3rd Space for National Development (SND) jointly co-hosted by the South African National Space Agency (SANSA) and the DSI’s National Earth Observation and Space Secretariat (NEOSS)......
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South African National Space Agency (SANSA) disaster management tools South Africa has been experiencing heavy rainfalls over the past weeks. heavy rainfall have caused flooding in various parts of the country affecting thousands of households. SANSA has developed disaster management......
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Starlink suffered a serious setback on 4 Feb 2022 with the untimely demise of 40 of its satellites launched the previous day [1]. The Starlink satellite system is claimed to become the world’s most advanced broadband internet system [2]. It......
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SANSA has developed a space weather forecasting curriculum to train the future generation of space weather forecasters. There are currently four South African forecasters undergoing this specialised training course, one of whom holds a BSc Honours degree in Physics......
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Every year, a multi-disciplinary team is deployed to the Antarctic base – SANAE IV. This team is known as the “Year Team” as the deployment lasts 14 months before the team is replaced with a new one. The team......
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South Africa’s leading space women, Andiswa Mlisa and Lulu Makapela, have been appointed to represent the country in the Programme Board of the Group on Earth Observations (GEO) for a 3-year period (2022 to 2024). The appointment was made......
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The National Research Foundation (NRF) rating system is a key driver in the NRF’s aim to build a globally competitive science system in South Africa. It is used as benchmark of South African based researchers against the best in......
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The second South African satellite known as SumbandilaSat (‘pathfinder’ in Venda) reached the end of its life and de-orbited on 10 December 2021, burning up in the atmosphere. The satellite was launched in 2009 and took a total of......
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Space partnership between SANSA and UKSA formalised at IAC 2021 The world’s largest space conference, the International Astronautical Congress (IAC), took place in October 2021 in Dubai. At the conference, representatives from SANSA and the United Kingdom Space......
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High-Frequency communications or HF is an essential tool used across the globe and especially on the African continent for long-distance communications. Many sectors across the continent rely greatly on HF communications for different purposes. Such sectors include the Aviation, Disaster......
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It takes a year for the Earth to go around the Sun, and it takes a month for the Moon to go around the Earth. These two orbits sometimes line up perfectly to have the Moon directly between the Sun......
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International Space Weather Camp The International Space Weather Camp (ISWC) provides an incredible opportunity for students from South Africa, the USA, and Germany to learn about space weather, a relatively new and exciting field involving the study of......
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The South African satellite known as SumbandilaSat (Pathfinder in Venda) is reaching the end of its life and will deorbit on Friday 10 December 2021. The satellite was launched in 2009 and took a total of 1 128 high-resolution, usable......
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Africa Earth Observation Challenge announces the winners of the 2021 challenge. The Africa Earth Observation (EO) Challenge was launched 14 weeks, with aim of promoting awareness of the value of earth observation data (EOD), driving entrepreneurial activity in the African......
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At Science Forum South Africa, the largest space conference that is a precursor to Science Forum Africa, currently taking place in Pretoria, South Africa saw representatives from the South......
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The mother of all solar storms, the most intense Space Weather event in recorded history, the Carrington event of 1 September 1859, was twice as big as any other solar storm in the last 500 years. The British amateur astronomer,......
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SANSA’s Human Capital Development (HCD) bursary programme has been put in place to allow for the professional development of staff or students by providing them with monetary assistance in the form of bursary funds. These funds are linked to......
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SANSA Chief Scientist, Prof Michael Kosch, has been honoured for a 2020 published paper on early-warning systems for wildfires. The paper, which is entitled ‘Decision support for the selection of optimal tower site locations for early-warning wildfire detection systems in......
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“SANSA has shown a strong history of utilising Earth observation data for the benefit of our people and now through the Digital Earth Africa programme office, we can offer even more solutions to our fellow Africans. The team at......
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SANSA’s 24/7 Operational Space Weather Centre is undergoing the final stages of Phase 1 of construction, with the end date set for 10 December 2021. The last three stages will include the completion of the Space Weather Centre and......
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It’s a simple fact of life that without ‘amanzi’, which means ‘water’ in Zulu and Xhosa, life on Earth would not be possible. SANSA is playing its part to ensure the sustainability of water supply in Mzansi for generations......
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SANSA along with several industry members recently represented the country at the 72nd International Astronautical Congress (IAC) in Dubai, which was held from 25 to 29 October. SANSA is a member of the International Astronautical Federation (IAF), which hosts......
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At the world’s largest space conference, the International Astronautical Congress (IAC) currently taking place in Dubai (25-29 October 2021), saw representatives from the South African National Space Agency (SANSA) and United Kingdom Space Agency (UKSA) take the opportunity to......
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From 25-29 October 2021, The South African National Space Agency (SANSA) in proud partnership with the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI), the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic), ZASpace Inc and BrandSA, will support the profiling of......
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The South African National Space Agency (SANSA) and the Air Traffic and Navigation Services (ATNS) SOC Ltd has today, Tuesday 12 October 2021, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to increase co-operation between these two entities. The MOU aims to......
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12/10/2021MEDIA ALERTFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE An eruption on the Sun a few days ago (9 October 2021) produced a Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) that is now showing its effects on the Earth’s magnetic field. Magnetometer readings around the world are showing......
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Pretoria, 6th October 2021 Digital Earth Africa is delighted to celebrate the appointment of the South African National Space Agency (SANSA) as its Program Management Office. The milestone was marked by a launch event, hosted by the Australian High Commission......
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The South African National Space Agency (SANSA) invites you to join us in recognising local space achievements during World Space Week from 4 – 10 October 2021. World Space Week is an international celebration of Space science and technology......
No commentOn 6 September 2021, SANSA was notified of a possible breach of the IT system. A file consisting of SANSA information was shared by a third party in the public domain. An internal investigation was conducted, and it was determined......
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The SANSA Hermanus Science Centre has had a makeover and it’s a feast for the eyes! The recent upgrade was undertaken in a bid to make the Science Centre more engaging and fun for learners. The makeover included a newly......
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With South Africa being a member of BRICS, SANSA has recently signed a bilateral agreement with Roscosmos (the Russian State corporation for space activities) to build the PanEOS antenna. This is Roscosmos’s “Optical-Electronic Complex for Detection and Measurement of the......
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Since the inception of SpaceOps in 1990, the organisation has hosted fifteen biennial conferences in various countries around the world. In 2020, SANSA was supposed to host SpaceOps 2020 in Cape Town. Unfortunately, as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic,......
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South African space industry body, ZASpace Inc., recently hosted a virtual industry event themed ‘Space Infrastructure Hub: Industry Update’. SANSA CEO Dr Valanathan Munsami was invited as the special guest speaker at the two-hour event, which was held on 27 July......
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Have you ever wondered what causes dark sunspots to appear, and what triggers explosions like solar flares? The surface of the Sun is hot enough to glow, but the outer layers are so hot they shine brightly in X-rays. Physics......
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Early in July 2021, South Africa experienced the worst civil unrest and mass destruction of property in the country’s democratic history. The violence occurred in the KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng provinces. Billions of Rands were lost in a matter of days......
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The extensive upgrades to the Space Weather Regional Warning Centre in Hermanus are well underway and the project is moving at a good pace, despite sometimes challenging and quite ironically, weather conditions. New foundations The contractors have started laying the......
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A major milestone has been reached at SANSA Space Operations site this year, with the conversion of electricity from American to South African frequency. For more than 60 years, the station has used the American standard for its power grid. This......
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Digital Earth Africa is an ongoing international programme that makes Earth observation (EO) data free and accessible. It delivers decision-ready products to the African continent, thereby helping to improve the lives of people across Africa by translating EO data into......
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Heads of the space agencies in the BRICS nations met virtually on August 18, 2021. Apart from sharing updates on each other space agency activities, the BRICS Space Agency leaders signed an Agreement on the Cooperation on BRICS Remote Sensing......
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The Africa Earth Observation (AEO) Challenge 2021 Welcome to The Africa Earth Observation (AEO) Challenge 2021. An annually run open innovation challenge that has been sourcing novel space technologies since 2016. Interested in learning more visit: https://eochallenge.africa/ #africaearthobservationchallenge #AfricaEOchallenge #innovation......
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After careful selection, the South African National Space Agency (SANSA) will host the Digital Earth Africa Program Management Office (PMO). The appointment marks a significant milestone in establishing an Africa-based infrastructure for Digital Earth Africa, ensuring that the platform remains......
No commentEarlier this year the South African National Space Agency (SANSA) became aware of fraudulent activities that were being perpetrated by one of its staff members. Defrauded suppliers have been coming to SANSA to submit invoices for payment, only to......
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The South African National Space Agency (SANSA) is in the process of conducting a User Requirement study to determine and understand the needs for key value sectors to be better enabled to use Earth Observation (EO) data. The information from......
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PRIVACY NOTICE INTRODUCTION 1.1 This Privacy Notice explains how the South African National Space Agency (‘’SANSA’’) obtains, uses and discloses your personal information, in accordance with the requirements of the Protection of Personal Information Act (No.4 of 2013). SANSA was......
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Following the announcement made on 27 June 2021 by President Cyril Ramaphosa, regarding the current adjusted alert level 4 lockdown coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic restrictions; the SANSA public tours will be halted with immediate effect until further notice. These measures have......
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Chasing Auroras By Vhulahani Manukha It all started on the 10th of December 2019 when Pierre Retief and I departed for Antarctica. The preparations before the departure were not challenging since we left before the Coronavirus outbreak. During our......
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In December 2019, before anyone ever heard of COVID-19 and Zoom was something only found on your camera, Pierre Retief was on a ship heading for Antarctica, to fulfil a lifelong dream. He was appointed as a Radar Engineer for......
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CDC and SANSA delegation explored collaborative opportunities On 16 April, the South African National Space Agency hosted the state-owned company, Coega Development Corporation (Pty) Ltd (CDC), at the SANSA Space Operations facility nestled in the tranquil scenery of Hartebeesthoek. The......
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MEDIA RELEASE From the South African National Space Agency For Immediate Release Pretoria, South Africa, 12 March 2021 Space Weather Centre, a new state-of-the-art facility provides aerospace security For immediate release The South African National Space Agency (SANSA)......
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Congratulations Space Operation on being accredited ISO 45001:2018 We are delighted to announce that SANSA Space Operations, a directorate of the South African National Space Agency (SANSA) has been awarded the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) 45001:2018 Occupational Health and......
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Following the announcement made on 11 January 2021 by President Cyril Ramaphosa, regarding the current adjusted alert level 3 lockdown coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic restrictions; the SANSA public tours, and the space talk public lecture series will be halted with immediate......
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The Consulate General of the Russian Federation in Cape Town and the South African National Space Agency (SANSA) in Hermanus, hosted an unveiling ceremony of a monument dedicated to Russian cosmonaut, Yuri Gagarin, the first man in space. ...
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The South African space sector company, ZASpace Inc. hosted a virtual industry consultation event and invited SANSA to talk about recently received funding from the South African Government and private funders for the Space Infrastructure Hub....
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South African government departments will now be able to monitor over 30 000 dams, up from the 250 they can currently keep track of....
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SANSA collaborated with Amazon Web Services, and the African data science competition platform Zindi to create an AI tool that identifies informal settlements using SANSA’s satellite data....
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The South African government has given the go-ahead for SANSA and NASA to look into placing a space vehicle tracking and communications ground station in Matjiesfontein, Western Cape....
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When the position of Space Weather Project Lead opened up at SANSA, Keenan Janneker jumped at the opportunity of working with a space agency, something he’d been fascinated about for a long time....
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The first African ground station that will receive satellite data for early warnings against natural disasters is ready for testing. ...
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SANSA’s Space Infrastructure Hub (SIH) has secured R4.47 billion in funding as part of the South African government’s plan to boost economic growth through infrastructure development. Minister of the Department of Science and Innovation, Dr. Blade Nzimande congratulated SANSA at a recent virtual media briefing....
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The outbreak of COVID-19 increased the need to fast track service delivery in informal settlements to ensure adherence to physical distancing measures and basic hygiene. The Government of South Africa established several interventions to fast-track the provision of shelter and......
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GEO Week 2020 will be kicking off virtually on 2 November 2020. The GEO Week 2020 Virtual Industry Track will be a highlight of this year’s event, running from 3-4 November – boasting two days of networking, virtual talks, and......
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Dr Val Munsami, SANSA CEO will hosts a special session at the International Astronautical Congress on how the global space sector aided Government’s in the management of the COVID-19 crisis. This Session will focus on understanding the effects the pandemic......
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The Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) and the South African National Space Agency (SANSA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish joint collaboration activities that ensures policy formulation is scientific and evidence-based, and that science engagement......
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An Africa-wide innovation challenge, modelled on the successful SA EO Challenge, is seeking the best ideas in the downstream application of space technology. The Space-Tech Innovation Challenge 2020 will identify and provide business development support, as well......
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Register to attend the media briefing on the link below: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ms8JNY27SU2jNdMxhB3lFA...
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31 Aug 2020 Amidst the global Covid-19 pandemic and a financial recession, the South African government has secured funding for a number of strategic infrastructure projects as part of its effective economic recovery plan. Digital infrastructure investment has ranked as......
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African nations can now access high-resolution satellite images in the Digital Earth Africa (DE Africa) platform that will enable countries to monitor changes that relate to people and the environment due to the impacts of COVID-19 and other critical challenges.......
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In a recent statement from the virtual meeting held by the South African cabinet, the South African National Space Agency (SANSA) has been given a go ahead to collaborate with the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in conducting......
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During the COVID-19 crisis, it is more critical than ever for governments to be able to identify the locations of informal settlements. Knowing where informal settlements are located will help governments make more appropriate policies and ensure that all people......
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Racking vehicular movement during Lockdown levels using Satellite imagery SANSA has been utilising remote sensing satellite imagery to assess vehicle presence on the roads and at shopping centres. During lockdown, human mobility is expected to be minimised and the correlation of human mobility was measured against vehicle presence on the roads and shopping centres....
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The current COVID-19 crisis facing the world, and the measures taken by governments to lockdown its citizens, means we are more reliant on Government to inform and direct the population in order to protect and sustain them. This has created......
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The COVID-19 pandemic has been described as the greatest challenge that the world has faced since the second world war. Its impact, in terms of both loss of life and reduced economic growth, has been devastating. South Africa, although at......
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Dear Valued Stakeholder, in light of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic that has reached our shores and following the decision by our President, H.E. Cyril Ramaphosa, declaring a National Disaster, we assure you that we have taken every precautionary measure and will......
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Following the announcement made on 15 March 2020 by the South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa, regarding the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the SANSA public tours, learner visits and the space talk public lecture series will be cancelled with immediate effect until......
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The South African National Space Agency (SANSA) and The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) recently signed an agreement to partner in a study activity that will be implemented shortly. The study agreement will see NASA and SANSA collaborate in......
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SANSA team who contributed to this award from left: Dime Kekana, Lesiba Tsoeleng, Nale Mudau (project leader), Morwapola Mashalane, Mahlatse Ganyago, Nosiseko Mashiyi, Asanda Lamba and Willard Mapurisa SANSA is very proud to have received this award on South Africa’s......
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South Africa’s space sector remains fertile ground for growth, both economically and technologically, despite the country’s current economic slump. This was a key take home message from the second annual Space for National Development conference (SND 2019), hosted by SANSA from 12 to 14 November, 2019, in Pretoria....
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First of its kind industry body to grow South Africa’s geospatial sector When we think of space, we generally think of SciFi shows such as Star Trek, or humanity’s current plans to send manned missions to Mars. Most people don’t......
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Get more information and apply online before 28 February 2020 https://www.sansa.org.za/event/iswc ...
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35 days to go before the biggest space event in South Africa! Don’t waste time – Register for this conference at http://snd.sansa.org.za ...
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The countdown to an exciting space conference in South Africa is on and you don’t want to miss out on the space experts from local and abroad that will be engaging stakeholders on the latest development in space with a......
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RSVP to events@sansa.org.za...
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The name of the South African National Space Agency (SANSA) may suggest that it is concerned with matters far higher than atmosphere-bound aviation. But SANSA performs a key service to all aircraft and their operators. SANSA is the key custodian......
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The South African National Space Agency is the key custodian of two essential aspects of aviation – the ‘standard reference’ compass against which all aircraft compasses are calibrated, and the provision of space weather forecasts and warnings. SANSA was recently......
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For the first time ever, Africa will host the world’s space operations community at the SpaceOps 2020 conference in Cape Town next May....
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SANSA is taking the fourth industrial revolution (4IR) beyond the stratosphere with a future ‘constellation’ of ZACube satellites; each slightly smaller than their pioneering predecessor ZACube-2....
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The SANSA facility in Hartebeesthoek is part of an international effort to track Chandrayaan 2 and ensure that it will land safely on the Moon....
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Join the SANSA team for the 2019 Space Agency Open Day taking place at SANSA (Hermanus) in celebration of National Science Week. There is something fun for the whole family! See below programme of activities. Please note: Due to SANSA’s......
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SpaceOps 2020 Abstract submissions for posters and oral presentations now open! The organising committee of the SpaceOps 2020 conference, invite you to submit your abstract and papers to the upcoming 16th International Conference on Space Operations (SpaceOps 2020) which will......
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The South African National Space Agency (SANSA) appreciates the continued support from stakeholders in the realisation of South Africa’s ambitions in space science and technology. In addition, we are appreciative of the willingness and availability to convene when called upon. It is......
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Book your space now at: events@sansa.org.za...
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RSVP to events@sansa.org.za...
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– Eight African nations have already launched satellites Lagos, Nigeria, 11 June 2019: Space in Africa, the authority on news, data, and market analysis for the African space industry, has just released the African Space Industry Report – 2019 Edition.......
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South Africa is looking to take on a leading role in the international space weather monitoring community, as it moves to become a key provider of space weather information to the global aviation sector for the African region. Dr Phil......
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The conference aims to showcase how the investments being made in space can assist our national agenda. Delegates will be able to engage with local industry and Space experts on the integration of space in the Fourth Industrial Revolution....
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Our life giving star, the Sun, has unleashed three large filaments – one on 11 May and two on 13 May. A CME impact is expected on 16 May due to these filament eruptions....
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In April 2019, The Durban region of South Africa received heavy rainfall which resulted in the flooding of various part of the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality....
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SANSA have been engaged in Calibration and Validation (CAL/VAL) activities in Harrismith, Bothaville and Cathedral Peak Pilot sites in Free State and KwaZulu-Natal during March and will continue into April 2019....
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Satellite based Earth observation can play a pivotal role in the disaster and risk management life cycle, particularly in supporting disaster preparedness, emergency response, rescue, and relief efforts....
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SANSA hosted a delegation from the Russian State Space Corporation (ROSCOSMOS) at Hartebeeshoek. ...
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Young space intern with a vision of inspiring young women and girls into space....
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Jean-Pascal Le Franc,CNES Director of Planning, International Relations and Quality and Dr Valanathan Munsami, CEO of SANSA signing the MoU...
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Join the SANSA team in Hermanus for this fascinating public talk by the Director General of the European Space Agency. Don’t miss out on this opportunity - book your space now!...
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CCTV video from a farm near Malmesbury of the meteor sighted over the Western Cape at 20h15 on 16 Jan 2019...
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The South African National Space Agency (SANSA) has been selected by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) as one of two regional centres to provide space weather services, including solar storm forecasts and warnings, to the global aviation sector. “South......
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On 15 November 2018, SANSA hosted General Charles Bolden, the United States Science Envoy and former NASA Administrator, at the ground station in Hartebeeshoek....
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South Africa will become Lead Co-Chair of the Group on Earth Observations (GEO) this November at GEO Week....
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SANSA is participating the First Forum of the Global Monitoring for Environment and Security and Africa (GMES and Africa) from 19 -23 November in Libreville, Gabon. The theme of the forum is “Unlocking the Potential of Earth Observation as a......
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A major challenges facing the world is achieving global food security. Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2 – Zero hunger, seeks sustainable solutions to end hunger by 2030 and to achieve food security....
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What’s happening in Space Science in South Africa and around the world?...
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SANSA Space Science research makes the SAJS front page The latest issue of the South African Journal of Science (SAJS) features an image of a sprite on the cover, drawn from the work of SANSA Space Science researchers Stanislaus Nnadih......
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JAXA ferries a bevy of instruments to tiny asteroid The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency’s Hyabusa II mission reached the tiny Ryugu asteroid in late September 2018, where the breadbox-sized probe released two miniscule “hopper” rovers, MINERVA-IIA and MINERVA-IIB, and captured......
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Ever wonder what the weather will be like tomorrow? Of course you do! You want to know what to wear and whether you should dust off your old umbrella in case it rains. This is the weather that occurs in the atmosphere that you can see, but what about the upper atmosphere you can’t see, the ionosphere?...
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The South African National Space Agency (SANSA) has joined an international network of instruments observing the Sun with the recent installation of a CALLISTO radio spectrometer. Developed in part by highly skilled SANSA engineers, the new instrument will expand the capacity of SANSA’s Space Weather Station in Sutherland....
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An invisible force protects life on Earth from dangerous space weather, allowed humans to navigate to new lands in the past, and helps you find the nearest pizza place in the present. SANSA’s geomagnetic surveys and magnetically clean environment help monitor this force so we can continue to enjoy luxuries like pizza on demand....
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It was a not-so-dark but very stormy Halloween when a geomagnetic storm damaged the South African power grid on October 29 in 2003, causing significant damage to transformers. While the storm did not catch scientists and engineers by surprise as they had been paying attention to our temperamental star, the damage it caused did....
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One does not simply walk into a science career, as Dr Lerato Shikwambana can attest. His career has been about taking the opportunities that were presented to him, like the eruption of a volcano in South America that reached across the ocean to affect South Africa and pique his interest half a world away....
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Parker Solar Probe now holds the record for closest approach to the Sun by a human-made object....
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The South African National Space Agency (SANSA) has partnered with New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) agency to provide capacity on the use of Earth observation and other geospatial tools to fast-track planning and monitoring of African Agenda 2063 and Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs) implementation. ...
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The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the South African National Space Agency (SANSA) will continue to work together....
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The South African National Space Agency (SANSA) in partnership with the Cape Town & Western Cape Convention Bureau wins the bid to host the SpaceOps 2020 conference....
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The South African National Space Agency (SANSA) pays tribute to Professor ADM (David) Walker who sadly passed away on 17 September 2018....
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Space belongs to all of us who live on the planet. Anyone, from anywhere, has the right to explore it, learn from it and exploit its resources....
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The South African National Space Agency (SANSA) together with Digital Globe hosted ‘Earth Observation Discovery Day’. ...
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The South African National Space Agency (SANSA) cemented the partnership with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding....
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As the sun set on Space Operations 2018 in Marseille, France, it was with a sense of pride that the South African delegates witnessed the SANSA CEO, Dr Val Munsami accept the SpaceOps flag for the coming two years. SpaceOps2018......
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The much anticipated event for the global Space Operations industry is underway in Marseille, France. SpaceOps2018 draws thousands of industry experts and leaders in space to this event every two years. SANSA is currently participating through an exhibition to promote......
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The Space for National Development (SND) Week brought together the South African space sector and stakeholders to engage on the legislation that governs the sector,...
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Hermanus, South Africa 20 April 2018 – The African region is set to derive even greater benefit from the recent upgrade to the South African National Space Agency’s (SANSA) Space Weather Regional Warning Centre located in Hermanus in the Western......
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As part of sharing experiences and learning about the global trends in the space industry, SANSA Earth Observation Managing Director Ms Andiswa Mlisa is currently attending the 5th Edition of Engage in London. The annual ENGAGE-2018 is a two-day event,......
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Four researchers huddle against the cold winds and encroaching darkness of the Karoo night, working with sophisticated cameras and near-real-time data feeds. The cameras are trained upwards and to the north, where a distant thunderstorm pummels the Highveld in silent......
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“When I first arrived we had to use morse code to send messages and were allowed a single nine-minute phone call a month.”...
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Danielle Taljaard found herself in one of the most inhospitable places on Earth, at the bottom of the world in Antarctica. She has always been adventurous and a lover of the outdoors but nothing can quite prepare you for -35......
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The South African National Space Agency (SANSA) is soon to launch the South African National Geophysical Data and Instrumentation Management System (SANDIMS) data portal that will be available to researchers, students and the private sector. The new portal is a......
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Finding a needle in a haystack is exactly the unique expertise of SANSA’s Applied Science and Technology Unit in the Western Cape, whether they’re searching for illegal arms caches in the sand dunes of Sandbaai, or the signs of the......
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SpaceX makes history. Twice! In what seemed like science fiction until it happened, a billionaire built the most powerful rocket in existence, put a car he built on top of it, and launched it into space. The South African born......
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SANSA outreach teaches thousands of learners the joys of space SANSA CEO, Dr Val Munsami says the Science Advancement Programme reached about 18 000 learners in schools across the country in 2017. SANSA visits school learners to teach them about......
No commentWhat’s happening in Space Science in South Africa and around the world? Space for National Development Week 12 – 15 March 2018 A dialogue with Government and its entities on the value of space science and technology for the national......
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The Science Advancement team continues to touch learners in various schools throughout the country. In this quarter, the team participated at the Science Tube festival in Galishewe, Kimberley, in the Northern Cape on 12 to 16 February 2018. Learners were......
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Greater Brandvlei Dam is earth-fill type dam located on a tributary of the Breede River, near Worcester in the Western Cape. It was formed in 1989 by joining the original Brandvlei Dam and the Kwaggaskloof Dam. Image downloaded: 2014 April......
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SANSA is working together with the National Disaster Management Center (NDMC), an entity of the Department of Local Government and Cooperative Governance, in a campaign aimed to create disaster awareness in the five district municipalities; Capricorn District in Limpopo province,......
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On Friday, 26 January, the South African National Space Agency (SANSA), Airbus Defence and Space, Technology Innovation Agency (TIA), and The Innovation Hub Management Company (TIH), hosted a Wold Café networking event at the Tshimologong Innovation Precinct in Johannesburg. The......
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Science forum SA is a “public science” event open to all interested stakeholders, which provides a platform for discussion and debate on the role of science in South African and African society as well as globally. It is through conversations......
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Sir William Hoy is probably the most loved icon to have ever set foot in the sleepy seaside town of Hermanus in the Western Cape. His story goes far beyond this little town, with his greatest achievements giving him countless......
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Our life-giving star, the Sun put on an unforgettable show this September when it erupted in two massive flares, the second of which was the strongest in over a decade. Keeping a close eye on the Sun’s activity, SANSA sent......
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The most powerful solar flare in 12 years erupted on the sun on 6 September 2017, flinging superheated gases into the solar system and towards Earth. But what many in the public consider an incredible occurrence is just another day......
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SANSA researchers have made an unusual discovery in their quest to better understand Earth’s magnetosphere. A new model has accurately described a type of wave that occurs in the space around our planet. The magnetosphere is a region surrounding our......
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Pinpointing where the lights went out in Puerto Rico After Hurricane Maria tore across Puerto Rico, it quickly became clear that the destruction would pose daunting challenges for first responders. Using its Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS), NASA’s Suomi......
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SANSA scientists star at international space science conference The internationally renowned International Association of Geomagnetism and Aeronomy (IAGA) Conference took place in Cape Town this year, and SANSA was there in force to represent Space Science in SA. Several prominent......
No commentWhat’s happening in Space Science in South Africa and around the world? European Space Weather Week 27 Nov – 1 Dec 2017 Ostend, Belgium http://www.stce.be/esww14/ International Workshop on Solar, Heliospheric & Magnetospheric Radio Astronomy 6-10 Nov 2017 Meudon, France https://jlsworkshop.sciencesconf.org/......
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The issue of global food security is well-reflected as one of the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Goal 2: Zero Hunger – pledges to end hunger, achieve food security, improve nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture. It is increasingly becoming......
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The International Astronautical Federation (IAF) was founded in 1951 to foster dialogue between scientists around the world and support international cooperation in all space-related activities. It is the world’s leading space advocacy body with over 300 members including all key......
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Ms Andiswa Mlisa joined SANSA as the Managing Director of Earth Observation directorate on the 1st October 2017. Before joining SANSA, she was a Department of Science and Technology’s Senior Science and Technology representative to the Group on Earth Observation......
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SANSA partnered with the Innovation Hub Company and Airbus Defence and Space to host a Business Development Workshop as part of the 2nd annual Open Innovation Challenge at the Innovation Hub on 12-13 September 2017. This event provided a platform......
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On 27 September 2017, on the margins of the 68th International Astronautics Conference (IAC) taking place in Adelaide, Australia, the South African National Space Agency (SANSA) and the Deutsches Zentrum fur Luft- und Raumfahrt e. V. (DLR) signed a......
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In line with SANSA’s mandate to expand human capacity development opportunities to the public sector and the entire Earth observation community in South Africa, the agency took a delegation of ten SA scientists to Japan for a four weeks training......
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The South African National Space Agency (SANSA) sent two representatives, Mr Imraan Saloojee and Mrs Naledzani Mudau, to the 2017 AfriGEOSS Symposium held in Sunyani, Ghana, on the 12-15 June 2017. This 2nd symposium took place under the theme: Delivering......
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Titled: EO spectrometer helps to identify relevant bands for early detection of famine weed. A recently purchased Spectral Evolution field spectrometer by Earth Observation directorate was put to task in a quest to identify relevant spectral bands for early detection......
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The South African National Space Agency (SANSA), the Brazilian Space Agency (AEB), the State Space Corporation “Roscosmos” (ROSCOSMOS), the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) and the China National Space Administration (CNSA) have today formally joined forces to create the......
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The delegation is comprised of SANSA’s stakeholders such as Eskom, Ekurhuleni Metropolitan municipality, Southern mapping, South African Marine Safety Authority (SAMSA), Department of Human Settlements, Transnet National Ports Authority and SANSA. They will be trained on the applications of remote......
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On 1 JUNE 2017 – Japan deployed the first of three navigation satellites it intends to launch in the next year, sending a 4.4-ton (4-metric ton) spacecraft on the way to a high-altitude orbital perch on top of an......
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SANSA in collaboration with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) are currently conducting a three-day training workshop on the use of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data in crop monitoring and crop yield estimation (maize). This hands-on training is taking......
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The MoU signed today between NEPAD and the South African National Space Agency (SANSA), will enable the provision of Earth observation products and services that support the implementation of key programmes for societal benefit such as sustainable agriculture and......
No commentSANSA intends to join a consortia of South African institutions, which includes the Universities of Cape Town, North West, Pretoria, Sol Plaatje, Western Cape and WITS as well as the SKA-South Africa, to establish a proto-type African Research Cloud......
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SANSA’s robust endeavours to strengthen the country’s role in multinational space science research, this time specifically in upper-atmosphere studies, come to fruition with the unveiling of the Optical Space Research (OSR) Laboratory at the South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO)......
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You find yourself caught in a devastating blizzard, away from the safety of your Antarctic base camp – your only means of navigation your Global Positioning System (GPS) device. Your GPS receiver has to communicate with satellites in space via......
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SANAE 55 team returned from the Ice The SANAE 55 team returned in February 2017 from their 14 month stay at the South African Antarctic research base SANAE IV. SANSA Engineers, Paddy Riley and Parikshit Bohra, successfully carried out routine......
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Gruelling Antarctic expeditions, encounters with polar bears in Svalbard, and a sheer love for the wild and cold reaches of our planet. You might think that Mike Kosch is a professional adventurer, or perhaps an extreme sportsman. But you’d be......
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US 2017 Space Weather Workshop 1 – 5 May 2017 Broomfield, Colorado 37th International Symposium on Remote Sensing of Environment (ISRSE-37) 8 -12 May 2017 Tshwane, South Africa EISCAT conference 26 – 30 May 2017 Tokyo, Japan SuperDARN Conference 4......
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The successful launch of Sentinel 2B on the 7th of March 2017 provides the users with great wealth of data required to monitor the environment and manage food security. Sentinel 2B is part of the sentinel 2 mission that carries......
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SANSA coordinates the third Synthetic aperture radar (SAR) WGCapD workshop in Gabon The 3rd Synthetic aperture radar (SAR) workshop is taking place in Libreville, Gabon, ends today. The week long workshop, 20 – 24 February, was coordinated by SANSA as......
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The Managing Director for the SANSA Earth Observation programme, Dr Jane Olwoch will be taking her leave of the Agency at the end of January 2017. She has been leading the programme since its establishment in 2011 and made......
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Dr Valanathan Munsami has been appointed as a successor to Dr Sandile Malinga, as the new CEO for the South African National Space Agency (SANSA) effective from 3 January 2017. Dr Malinga left the Agency in August 2016 following......
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With the devastating flash floods that occurred in Gauteng last week and expected heavy rainfalls in the coming days, it is important for our citizens to know about flood prone areas and take precautionary measures on time, to mitigate......
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With the devastating flash floods that occurred in Gauteng last week and expected heavy rainfalls in the coming days, it is important that people are aware of flood prone areas and take precautionary measures in time, to mitigate the impact......
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In a ground breaking move to provide better and improved services to the people of Gauteng province, the Gauteng provincial government recently entered into a partnership with the South African National Space Agency. Through this partnership, SANSA will provide Gauteng......
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Responding to the increased user demand of Essential Climate Variables (ECVs) and other important biophysical parameters from the recently launched Sentinel-2 satellite, SANSA has intensified its processing of Sentinel-2 data to meet these user demands. SANSA is confident that......
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Space science, specifically Extremely Low Frequency (ELF) and Very Low Frequency (VLF) radio waves in the magnetosphere and ionosphere, as well as space plasma and radiation belt phenomena, were topics of dynamic discourse recently between representatives from two international space science......
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Deliberations amongst a group of remote sensing expects at the G7 Economic Summit of Industrialized Nations Working Group, technology and employment, recognised the value of space based technology for the benefit of society. Subsequently, the Committee on Earth Observation Satellites......
No commentOn the 1st of September 2016 a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket exploded during the final minutes of a simulated countdown at Cape Canaveral. The launch vehicle was carrying the AMOS-6 communications satellite which was regrettably destroyed during the explosion.......
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Landsat 8 false colour composite (R:2 G:5 B:7) showing fires in black and the fire’s plumes in red. The image was captured 10 February in Worcester, Western Cape. The wind at the time was from a north-westerly direction as evidenced......
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On 1 September, SANSA welcomed Mr Potlaki Maine as Acting Chief Executive Officer following the resignation of former CEO, Dr Sandile Malinga. Dr Malinga has been with the Agency since inception and developed the strong foundation for SANSA to......
No commentThe agricultural sector in South Africa is set to benefit from the crop monitoring system that has recently been developed by SANSA in partnership with Airbus Defence and Space. The crop monitoring system called Crop Watch for South Africa was......
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This second SAR training and tour of key space institutions in Japan entailed advanced training on Remote Sensing and GIS technologies. The delegation was made up of ten (10) delegates, representing the following government departments and state institutions:- SANSA; South......
No commentEarly-career research excellence has again seen Dr John Bosco Habarulema, a space science researcher at the South African National Space Agency (SANSA) in Hermanus, as the recipient of an award from the American Geophysical Union (AGU) this time as......
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You are cordially invited to the 37th International Symposium on Remote Sensing of Environment (ISRSE), which will convenue in Tshwane (Pretoria), South Africa 8-12 May 2017 under the overarching theme “Earth Observation for Development and Adaptation to a Changing World”.......
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After spending more than a decade in the South African space science and technology sector first as a researcher and then as senior manager/executive, Dr Sandile Malinga, Chief Executive Officer of the South African National Space Agency (SANSA), will be......
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SANSA and Common Wealth Scientific Research Organisation, Australia (CSIRO) with support from Department of Science and Technology (DST) and City of Tshwane hosted the 4th Group on Earth Observations Global Agricultural Monitoring Initiative (GEOGLAM) Rangelands And Pasture Productivity (RAPP) workshop......
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The maritime authorities recently benefited from a three day maritime remote sensing course that was recently hosted in Durban by the SAMSA maritime school of excellence on 25-27 May 2016. The Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) training workshop was facilitated by......
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The agricultural sector in South Africa is set to benefit from the crop monitoring system that has recently been developed by the SANSA in partnership with Airbus Defence and Space. The crop monitoring system called Crop Watch for South Africa......
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The overwintering exodus to Marion Island this year saw SANSA researcher, Dr Stefan Lotz, accompany Travis Duck, an engineer and member of the 73rd Marion expedition (M73), to assist with the takeover from returning engineer, Pierre Joubert, a member of......
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Empowering young women to follow careers in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) was under the spotlight recently at a YOUTH DAY SPACE PREP workshop in Cape Town where senior SANSA representatives assisted young learners to build small, programmable robotic......
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SpaceOps 2016 is being hosted by KARI (Korea Aerospace Research Institute) and takes place from 16-20 May 2016 at the Dajeon Convention Centre in Korea. SANSA is represented by executives and operations teams. The purpose of the SpaceOps Conference is......
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Registration closed on 25th May 2016 Enquiries: Ndleleni: Tel: 012-844 0321 or nboyilane@sansa.org.za...
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The small town of Sutherland was buzzing over the long weekend as the local community flocked to engage with the various exhibitions on show at the Department of Science and Technology’s Science Imbizo taking place on 30 April 2016. The......
No commentSANSA signs a Memorandum of Understanding with the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) SANSA CEO, Dr Sandile Malinga and the Director General of department of Public Service and Administration, Mr Mashwahle Diphofa signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)......
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SANSA recently hosted representatives from the Met Office, Mullard Space Science Laboratory, RAL Space, and Imperial College London in the UK. The visitors met with SANSA researchers to discuss a multinational space weather project as part of the UK Space......
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SANSA staff and stakeholders gathered for a informal commemoration of the successful foundational phase of SANSA and were addressed by the CEO, Board Chairperson and colleagues from Department of Science and Technology. Messages acknowledged the challenges, successes and committment from staff,......
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Polar travelling in Antarctica may become significantly safer thanks to the DemoGRAPE instrumentation recently deployed at the South African Antarctic base, SANAE IV. In January 2016 these instruments recorded ionospheric scintillations for the first time along signal paths from the......
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The South African National Space Agency recently recorded the first images of Sprites from Sutherland on 11 January 2016. Triggered by lightning, Sprites are optical gas discharges from the top of convective thunderstorm clouds at an altitude of 50-100 km.......
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South Africa is currently battling its worst drought in decades. The drought disaster has a negative impact on social, environmental and economic stability and continues to pose a major threat to food security throughout the world. The ultimate knock-on effect......
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The festive season is generally a time of rest for many people, however, SANSA is always dedicated to the service of humanity through space and technology and space launches are big business. The month of December began on a high......
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In an effort to harness the benefits of the ocean economy the South African (SA) government initiated a programme called Operation Phakisa. The programme is designed with an aim of unlocking the economic potential of SA oceans. With SAs large ocean......
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SANSA recently developed a 2014 city human settlement layer using 2014 SPOT 5 imagery (the latest available SPOT 5 imagery). This layer shows human settlement development in 2014 around selected cities. The areas covered in this layer are Gauteng province,......
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Remote sensing can be defined as the collection of data about an object from a distance. Humans and animals accomplish this task with aid of eyes or by the sense of smell or hearing. Earth scientists use the technique of......
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Satellite Application Centre (SAC) book The Satellite Application Centre (SAC) book was created in commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the CSIR Satellite Applications Centre at Hartebeesthoek, now incorporated under the South African National Space Agency (SANSA) and known......
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The departure of the 55th Antarctic expedition aboard the SA Agulhas II on 5 December this year marked a milestone for SANSA Radar Engineer, Jon Ward, who will be spending his 5th consecutive summer in Antarctica. Jon has been appointed......
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In an effort to remain transparent and relevant, we bring you the SANSA Year-to-date performance highlights. Should you wish to review the Annual report for 2014/15 Financial Year, it can be found here ...
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SANSA Space Weather forecasters are predicting the possibility of a strong (NOAA scale G3 – http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/noaa-scales-explanation) geomagnetic storm over the next 24 hours due to a high speed solar wind stream impacting Earth’s magnetic field. Solar activity is currently moderate......
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14 October 2015 – The reception and installation of CBERS-04 terminal by Chinas Centre for Resources Satellite Data and Application (CRESDA) supported by SANSA staff, is yet another significant milestone in the agencys quest to position itself as a recognized......
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On 12th of October 2015, a delegation from Airbus Defence and Space (Airbus DS) visited The South African National Space Agency (SANSA) Earth Observation (EO) directorate to review and finalize their partnership agreements as part of their ongoing collaborative project.......
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Research of the Earth’s atmosphere and ionosphere are crucial for understanding our universe and the interconnected processes that govern our natural environment and impact the technologies we rely on daily. Top scientists from across the globe gathered in Hermanus, Western......
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Challenge owner: SANSA & Airbus Defence and Space (ADS) Opportunity: Site visits to Airbus operations in Toulouse, France and presentation of solution at a high-level SANSA partner’s workshop in March 2016. Winning startup to receive 12 month’s incubation from The......
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The South Africa Space Agency (TIGER Regional office) is hosting a capacity building and training workshop for stakeholders from the 7th to 11th September 2015, in Pretoria. The workshop held at the Department of Science and Technology is being attended......
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A delegation of eight scientists from the South African National Space Agency (SANSA), Eskom and the Council for GeoScience are in Japan on for three weeks of advanced remote sensing training, principally on the use and analysis of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR)......
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SANSA recently supported the local Women in Physics in South Africa (WIPISA) programme by hosting 20 passionate undergraduate Physics students from the University of Cape Town (UCT) for a “Women in Physics Day” in Hermanus. The initiative aims to attract......
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As we rush about our busy lives, time may seem to speed up, making the days shorter, but in reality days are actually getting slightly longer every year. Tidal forces between the Earth and moon, weather changes and tectonic forces......
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On 16 July, Sir Mark Walport, the UK Government Chief Scientific Adviser, on behalf of the UK Space Agency signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Dr Sandile Malinga, CEO of the South African National Space Agency. Sir Mark is......
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The images obtained from the first twins in the SPOT family, SPOT 6 and SPOT 7, are now available for ordering from SANSA. The two satellites are 180-degree phased, enabling a revisit at least once a day for any point......
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The European Space Agency’ (ESA) Sentinel 2A was successfully launched on a 30m tall Vega rocket from Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou (French Guiana) on the 23 June 2015. The new satellite will provide a wealth of information for various applications,......
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A CME was observed on June 21 at 02:48 UT with an average speed of ~ 976 km/s. The CME was associated with an M-class solar flare from active region 2371. The arrival time of the CME on Earth was......
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Register & apply online: https://events.sansa.org.za/or contact: EISCAT_42AM@sansa.org.za...
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The 2015 Awards Ceremony of the College of Agriculture, Engineering & Science at the University of KwaZulu-Natals (UKZN) held on 17 April 2015, saw Zahra Essack of the Westville Campus and Gareth Enoch of the Pietermaritzburg (PMB) Campus walk away......
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PRETORIA, Wednesday, 03 June 2015 – Building partnerships that benefit the country and the African continent were top of the agenda at the first “Space meets Industry” Business Breakfast hosted by the South African National Space Agency (SANSA) at the......
No commentSANSA’s twin-events CSIR International Convention Centre 03 June 2015 08:00 – 10:00 SPACE & INDUSTRY DIALOGUE Business Breakfast 12:30 – 16:00 LAUNCH OF 2013 SPOT 6 and 2014 SPOT 5 Mosaic National Mosaics and ortho-bundle data events@sansa.org.za...
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NRF ratings are based on research outputs and impact and aim to encourage researchers to publish their outputs in high impact journals, as well as impart cutting-edge skills to the next generation of researchers. Individual ratings are based on the quality......
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SANSA has been selected to host the 17th biennial EISCAT symposium and the 42nd annual optical meeting (42AM), which will run concurrently from 14-18 September 2015 in Hermanus, Western Cape. A Radar School will also be offered from 12-13 September 2015......
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The Vaal Dam in South Africa was constructed in 1938 and lies 77 km south of OR Tambo International Airport. The flood attenuation properties of the dam were severely tested in February 1996 when the largest flood ever recorded at the......
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On Wednesday 15 April 2015, SANSA and Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) during a ceremony at Eskom National Control in Simmerpan. The MoU was formulated against the background of the collaboration between Eskom and SANSA......
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We have all seen the recent spate of violent attacks on fellow Africans from across the continent and this has been opposed at every level of Government and by various communities. As CEO and on behalf of SANSA, I......
No comment1. Preamble Regulation 3 of the Use of Official Languages Act, Act No 12 of 2012 (“UOLA”) requires the entities of the Department of Science and Technology to publish its proposed language policy in the Government Gazette for public......
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The ongoing business relationship between the Hartebeesthoek tracking station and the French space agency, Centre Nationale’Etudes Spatiales(CNES) resulted in SANSA signing the largest space mission support contract yet with the French agency since the first contract in the early 1980s......
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SANSA studentship programme candidate Morwapula Mashalane has embarked on a study to map the invasive Bankrupt bush (Seriphium plumosum) in Free State province as part of his Master of Science study at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. It is estimated that......
No commentA partial halo Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) was observed early on 15 March 2015 from active region 2297 near the centre of the solar disk. Traveling towards Earth at an estimated speed of ~800 km/s the CME impacted the Earth’s......
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Soil, water and vegetation are the major types of land-cover that characterise our environment. Vegetation is fundamental to providing ecosystem goods, such as food, water and wood for fuel, and services, which include climate regulation (CO2 sequestration by plants), water......
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On 27 February 2015, SANSA will support its first Solar Electric Propulsion (SEP) mission. A SEP satellite extends the length and capabilities of the space mission while reducing costs. This in turn, could result in the form of cheaper satellite......
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SANSA took part in the 2015 inaugural Innovation Bridge at the CSIR International Convention Centre. This event, which was held on 2-3 February 2015, is an initiative of the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and aims to provide the......
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After 15 years and multiple delays, the Deep Space Climate Observatory (DSCOVR) spacecraft is on its way to deep space. Launching atop a Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) Falcon 9 rocket, DSCOVR leapt off the pad at Space Launch Complex 40......
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The South African National Space Agency (SANSA) on 3rd June 2014 signed a formal agreement with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to champion cooperation in peaceful use of remote sensing and Earth Observation technologies. The formal agreement advances knowledge......
No commentOn Saturday 31 January 2015, a United Launch Alliance Delta II rocket launched the Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) satellite for NASA. SMAP is an Earth satellite mission designed to measure and map Earth’s soil moisture and freeze/thaw state to......
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The Southeastern region of Africa has been affected by severe rainfall causing what is most likely the severest natural disaster of 2015. Malawi, Mozambique and Madagascar have been seriously affected with at least 260 people killed and 260 000 left homeless......
No commentWith the successful launch of Sputnik over five decades ago, mankind began on the journey into the space age. Today, agreements in space exploration and the application of space technologies have become integral to addressing earth and humanities challenges......
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A wondrous world of hidden treasure awaits those brave enough to journey to the land of ice and snow. Antarctica, a land often described as the coldest, windiest, driest, least populated and most remote corner of the world, is not......
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The International Astronautical Federation is pleased to announce the opening of applications for the Emerging Space Leaders (ESL) Grant Programme, dedicated to young people, young professionals, that provides opportunities for students and young professionals to participate in the annual......
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The Laureate Award is the highest award an alumnus of the University of Pretoria or an outstanding achiever can receive from fellow alumni. This award has been presented to distinguished alumni since 1974. Any member of TuksAlumni may submit nominations......
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Have you ever wondered why the wagon makers of the 19th century did not become car manufacturers at the advent of the motor car? Today we are gathered here for the 2nd International Africa CubeSat Workshop. Satellites have come......
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2014 marks an almost 30-year relationship between SANSA’s Space Operations ground station and the French space agency, CNES. In 2016, the CNES/SANSA Space Operations contract will come to an end. As a result, SANSA has managed to sign an additional......
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The International Aerospace Symposium of South Africa (IASSA) 2014 is being held from 24-25 November at African Pride Irene Country Lodge Centurion, Pretoria. IASSA 2014 is convened by the Aeronautical Society of South Africa (AeSSA) and the Flight Test Society of......
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The 10th biennial conference of African Association of Remote Sensing and the Environment (AARSE) started on Monday, 27 October 2014, at the University of Johannesburg in South Africa. The theme of this year’s conference is Space technologies for societal benefits......
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SANSA is keeping a close eye on the biggest sunspot to appear on the face of the sun in 24 years. The active sunspot known as AR 12192 has unleashed a few major flares one of which was an X3.1......
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We often take for granted that the technology we have become so accustomed to rely on daily can be affected not only by weather on Earth but also by more extreme weather in space. An extreme space weather event, or......
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Space science and technology is one of the five great challenges in South Africas 10-year Innovation Plan. South Africas space landscape is guided by the National Space Policy, while the National Space Strategy defines the outcomes of a National Space......
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5 SEPTEMBER 2014 Satellites are making significant contributions to the economic and socio-benefits of using space technology and satellite data. These satellite images, data products and services are essential tools in increasingly varied applications such as agriculture and food security,......
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What are Sprites and what should I know about them? Join our resident Space science Chief scientist, Dr Michael Kosch at a public lecture on this fascinating subject! ...
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Active region near the centre of the solar disk which produced an X1.6 solar flare Active region 2158 near the centre of the solar disk erupted on 10 September 2014 with an X1.6 class solar flare accompanied by a coronal......
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The South African National Space Agency (SANSA) is launching another superior dataset to the South African earth observation community. The National Mosaic is an annual 2.5 m resolution natural colour composite of SPOT 5 satellite imagery that covers the entire......
No commentUgandian delegates from the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development visit SANSA 27 August 2014 ...
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On 2 July 2014, NASA’s Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2 (OCO-2) satellite was successfully launched from the Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. Minutes later, the Hartebeesthoek (HBK) ground station in South Africa acquired the rocket signal and was able to provide......
No commentDid you know that the South African National Space Agency is involved in many of the global space missions currently under way? The Space Operations directorate provided launch support for the Mars Curiosity mission launched from Cape Canaveral Air Force......
No commentNatural disasters place humanity at nature’s mercy. Thanks to technologies in use by SANSA’s Earth Observation team, we have the ability to mitigate their effects. Technologies like Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems allow SANSA to monitor disasters such as......
No commentOn a hill just south of the Magaliesberg in Gauteng, at SANSA’s space operations Hartebeesthoek facility, there is a short pole called Doris. To the casual observer it’s just a simple white pole with chipped paint and some electric wiring......
No commentElectric plasma in space has always affected radio frequencies transmitted to Earth from man-made satellites – in the same way glass diffracts rays of light through windows. SANSA scientists aim to better understand just how plasma diffracts radio waves. This......
No commentWhile the new SuperDARN digital radar has been installed in Antarctica, back on the home front SANSA is managing an experimental aspect of South Africa’s first CubeSAT mission. The experiment aims to determine how to broadcast a high frequency......
No commentThree projects offer a deeper understanding of the world of space plasma. A digital upgrade to the South African SuperDARN radar in Antarctica, the construction of a High Frequency Direction Finding (HF/DF) interferometer array, and the tricky business of uncoiling......
No commentKa-band antenna upgrade gives Space Ops the international edge A recent Ka-band antenna upgrade is putting SANSA Space Operations at Hartebeesthoek in a uniquely competitive position to monitor a new wave of satellites launched over the southern hemisphere. In 1997......
No commentSANSA is expanding the reach of its Earth Observation (EO) service to the most local level of government, with the placement of EO specialists in municipalities. “Many municipalities are not yet fully exploiting the EO data which we can make......
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Dr John Bosco Habarulema, a Ugandan scientist based in South Africa who works at the South African National Space Agency, has become the first African to receive the Sunanda & Santimay Basu Early Career Award. The award is presented by......
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The CoRoT satellite, from website: http://physicsforme.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/corot2.gif CoRoT deorbit: 17 June 2014 SANSA is currently providing support for the CoRoT satellite which belongs to the French space agency CNES. With assistance from the ground station, final TT&C manoeuvres to end the......
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Active area AR2087 on the sun produced two X-class X-ray solar flares on 10-06-2014 and another X-class flare on 11-06-2014. This burst of activity comes after a quiet spell of solar activity over the past few weeks. The two X-class......
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Find out at the SANSA Space Talk 5 June in Hermanus....
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On Wednesday 2 April the South African research vessel Agulhas II set sail once again with a SANSA team heading for Marion Island in the sub-Antarctic Indian ocean, about 950 nautical miles (1769km) south-east of Port Elizabeth. SANSA’s Marion Island......
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An artist’s concept of NASA’s Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Environment Explorer (LADEE) spacecraft seen orbiting near the surface of the moon. Image Credit: NASA Ames/Dana Berry Hartebeesthoek, 25 April 2014. It has been confirmed that NASA’s Lunar Atmosphere and Dust......
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Scientists and engineers at SANSA Space Operations are working on a South African version of a much more accurate satellite navigation system. Satellite-Based Augmentation Systems (SBAS) typically use multiple ground stations at a precisely-surveyed location to take measurements from orbiting......
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An extreme space weather event, or solar superstorm, is one of a number of potentially high impact, but low probability natural hazards. In response to a growing awareness in government, extreme space weather now features as an element of national......
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The report, titled Climate Change 2014: Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability, from Working Group II of the IPCC, details the impacts of climate change to date, the future risks from a changing climate, and the opportunities for effective action to reduce......
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A recent Ka-band antenna upgrade is putting SANSA Space Operations at Hartebeesthoek in a uniquely competitive position to monitor a new wave of satellites launched over the southern hemisphere. In 1997 Hartebeesthoek installed the first Ka-band tracking, telemetry and command......
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Scientists track sunspots that are part of active regions, which often produce large explosions on the sun such as solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs). Each time an active region appears it is assigned a number. Active regions that......
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Space is not as empty as you think! While the name suggests that space is empty, that is far from true. Matter released by our sun and space weather events fills the area between our planet and surrounding bodies,......
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Active region 1944 erupted on 7 January 2014 with an X-class X-ray solar flare accompanied by a coronal mass ejection (CME). The CME is travelling towards Earth and is estimated to impact the Earth’s magnetic field around 9:00 UT on......
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The South African National Space Agency (SANSA) bid farewell to a team of scientists and engineers as they departed on the SA Agulhas II for Antarctica on 28 November 2013. The 53rd Antarctic expedition marks a milestone for the Space......
No commentCongratulations on the successful launch of TshepisoSat (Code name ZA-CUBE1) – South Africa’s first cubesat! SA’s first nano-satellite, code named ZACUBE-1, designed and built by Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) postgraduate students to monitor space weather, took off today......
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Satellite imagery is used to support public sector planning and delivery in areas such as agriculture, human settlements, infrastructure development, and environmental monitoring and conservation. In line with its vision to be a leader in ensuring that satellite Earth observation......
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The Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) is set to make history with the launch of South Africa’s first CubeSat, a type of nano-satellite, ZACUBE-1. The launch is set for 21 November 2013 at 09:10:11 (South African Time), atop......
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The South African National Space Agency (SANSA) has been identified by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to provide satellite tracking, telemetry and command services to their first Mars operation – the Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM). India’s Mars Orbiter Mission......
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SANSA data systems management unit is responsible for the downloading and processing and archiving of satellite imagery from Earth observation satellites. The team operate between the facility in Hartebeesthoek, where satellite data is received and Pretoria, where researchers process the......
No commentOn Friday 4 October 2013, SANSA hosted learners, members of the media and other dignitaries at its Hartebeeshoek facilities. This was to kick off the World Space Week events amidst the space fever that has hit our country. This is......
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As we go about our everyday lives here on Earth, seldom do we think about our nearest star the Sun. Life on Earth would not exist without it and yet we take it for granted each day. In the next......
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Participation in international conferences is essential for establishing a peer review culture of the research undertaken at SANSA. The impact is seen through the number of ISI publications that result from various collaborative research projects. In addition, it allows scientists......
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Just as there is weather on Earth, so too is there weather in space, and it can interfere with and cause damage to satellites which we rely on for communications, navigation, resource management and the safety and security of our......
No commentA new High Frequency Digital Radar will be unveiled at the final World Space Week event for SANSA this year at a ceremony on 9 October 2013 in Hermanus, Western Cape. The radar system forms part of the Super Dual......
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The South African National Space Agency (SANSA) is today launching an exciting collection of tools for learners in the country, in support of the geography curriculum at high school. This launch is one of the initiatives SANSA and the Department......
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This World Space Week, an initiative by the United Nations to acknowledge the strides made by humanity in space and the impacts of these on our lives, is celebrated around the world from 4-10 October. The theme for 2013 is......
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Eager to learn and explore the exciting world of space physics, 16 students from universities around South Africa attended the annual SANSA Space Science Winter School in Hermanus from 1-5 July, 2013. The Winter School aims to introduce the field......
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The 58th annual conference of the South African Institute of Physics (SAIP) took place from 8 -12 July 2013 at the University of Zululand in Richard’s Bay. SAIP is one of the main events on the physics calendar allowing physicists......
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The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) launched the LADEE spacecraft on a Minotaur V vehicle during a five-day launch period that started on September 6, 2013. The LADEE mission is divided into mission phases: Launch, Ascent, Activation and Checkout,......
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Representatives from the Botswana government and educational institutes recently undertook a tour of South Africa’s key organisations in the fields of space, science and technology. They met with SANSA to understand the Agency’s programmes and opportunities for collaboration at the......
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Four months ago, the South African National Space Agency (SANSA) and the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) signed an agreement on the RadioAstron space satellite. Under the agreement, Roscosmos will provide the hardware for upgrading the tracking station (antenna) for......
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The Proton-M rocket failed to launch on 1 July 2013. This is one of the main launch vehicles use for launching various satellites from many different suppliers. This failure is going to have an impact on the SANSA Space Operations......
No commentOur Societies are dominated and even ‘driven’ by ideas and products from science and technology (S&T) and it is very likely that the influence of science and technology on our lives will continue to increase in the years to come.......
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The latest SPOT 5 national mosaic for 2012 has been released at an event by the South African National Space Agency (SANSA) to key stakeholders in government departments and private industry for use in addressing national requirements. The imagery which......
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SANSA’s Navigation unit completed three Satellite Based Augmentation System (SBAS) trials during the months of February and March 2013. Together with the trials, a Lead User Group meeting was held at Hartebeesthoek to confirm user requirements and illustrate the importance......
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Following the signing of the RadioAstron space satellite agreement between the South African National Space Agency (SANSA) and the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) at the 5th BRICS Summit held in Durban this year, SANSA will be responsible for the......
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When flying an aircraft it is mandatory to have a functioning magnetic compass on-board in order to navigate effectively in the event of electronic navigation device failure. Electrical systems occasionally do fail, while the Earth’s magnetic field never does. Not......
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A steel-hulled ship is like a huge floating magnet with a large magnetic field surrounding it. The process of building a ship, within the Earth’s magnetic field, develops a certain amount of permanent magnetism in the ship. When the ship......
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Hermanus, South Africa, 18-05-2013 Regional Space Weather Warning Centre at the Space Science Directorate of the South African National Space Agency. A minor (G1) geomagnetic storm is in progress following a coronal mass ejection (CME) detected during the early hours......
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SANSA Space Operations is proud to welcome two vibrant, young ladies to the Satellite Operations team, as In-Service Trainees. More Enicca Moloi (MM) and Betty Ntebogeng Ntlhe (BN) are both students from Tshwane South College who have completed all theoretical......
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SANSA Space Science is a key player in the South African National Antarctic Programme (SANAP) and has several on-going space science and space weather related projects in Antarctica, as well as Marion Island and Gough Island. SANSA is particularly interested......
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Hermanus, South Africa, 13/04/2013 From the Regional Space Weather Warning Centre at the Space Science Directorate of the South African National Space Agency. The most powerful solar flare of the year erupted from the sun on 11 April 2013. Active......
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The fiftieth session of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) was held from 11-22 February 2013 at the United Nation Office in Vienna, Austria. COPUOS became a forum for development of laws and......
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By Jonathan Ward The 8th of December 2011 is a date I will never forget. After nearly six months of training at the South African National Space Agency in Hermanus, I stood on the deck of the SA Agulhas I,......
No commentThe Minister of Science and Technology, Derek Hanekom, has welcomed the signing of an agreement between the South African National Space Agency (SANSA) and the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos). The agreement, on the RadioAstron space satellite, was signed......
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So what’s up with the sun why is solar max proving to be a little on the mini side? An interesting public lecture entitled “Solar Max – Why No Big Bangs Yet?” presented by Kobus Olckers, SANSA Space Weather Officer,......
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A group of 14 students, who are registered for the Honours degree course under the National Astrophysics and Space Science Programme (NASSP) at University of Cape Town, attended a Summer School on the “Introduction to Space Physics” at SANSA Space......
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On Valentine’s Day 2013, the South African National Space Agency (SANSA) received an eagerly-awaited gift – a new Ku-IOT antenna. The SANSA Space Operations’ 9m Ku-IOT antenna is now being assembled by Stratosat on site, at Hartebeesthoek. The antenna’s foundation......
No commentThe long awaited Landsat 8 satellite was successfully launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, USA on Monday 11 February 2013 using the Atlas-V 401 rocket launch vehicle. Landsat 8 or the Landsat Data Continuity Mission (LDCM) as......
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The South African National Space Agency’s (SANSA) Earth Observation directorate collaboratively hosted a Spectrometer training together with Southern Mapping Company – the Spectral Evolution instruments’ African partner – on 11 February 2013 at Hartebeesthoek. Both SANSA and Southern Mapping Company......
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SANSA Space Science hosted the 2013 Ionospheric Monitoring in Africa Workshop, 24 – 25 January 2013. The workshop brought together scientists from various European and African countries in an effort to highlight the current state of Africa’s ground-based ionospheric monitoring......
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The North West Provincial Government (NWPG) has been working with SANSA (CSIR’s Satellite Application Centre at the time) since 2007. The main objective of the project is to collaboratively develop an informal settlements database used during the Upgrade Informal Settlement......
No commentGladys Magagula, Mission Control Specialist at SANSA’s Space Operations directorate; was invited to be a guest speaker at the 3rd Annual Women in Engineering Conference. The event took place from the 28-30 November 2012 at Gold Reef City with almost......
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Representatives from SANSA’s directorates undertook a trip to a number of Japanese Earth Observation institutes from the 8- 13 October 2012. These institutes include the National Institute of Information and Communication Technology (NICT), the Remote Sensing Technology Centre of Japan......
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The South African National Space Agency’s (SANSA) Earth Observation directorate will be distributing its annual Fundisa disk to tertiary institutions around South Africa in the form of a Road Show this October, to coincide with World Space Week. The Fundisa......
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Lethabo Moropa, a four year old boy suffering from Kidney cancer, visited Hartebeeshoek on the 18 September 2012 to fulfil his dream of being a Satellite Engineer. Like many young boys, he loves speed, Ben 10 and McDonalds. His wish......
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A SANSA Space Weather team attended the Ninth European Space Weather Week (ESWW9) at the Académie Royale de Belgique, Brussels, Belgium from 5 – 9 November 2012. ESWW9 was attended by over 300 researchers, forecasters and users of Space Weather......
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Embarking on a journey to the frozen continent of Antarctica is a once in a life time experience filled with mixed emotions of excitement and anxiety about what lies ahead. Cornelia Oberholzer, Philip Mey, Padraig Riley, Paul McQueen, Nadia Hansa,......
No commentThe 4 December marked the official unveiling of the KSAT antenna, a symbol of increasing cooperation between South Africa and Norway, in the Space industry. Kongsberg Satellite Services AS (KSAT) is a commercial Norwegian company that initiated talks with the......
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A High Temperature SQUID (Superconducting Quantum Interference Device) sensor was recently installed at SANSA Space Science in a dedicated non-magnetic hut. The SQUID was installed and is operated in collaboration with the University of Stellenbosch. With features such as shielding,......
No commentThuli Wistebaar recently attended a satellite application technology training workshop offered by CAST Shenzhou Institute (CSI) in Beijing. The duration of the training was from 9 to 27 July and involved 22 participants from across Africa, including: Algeria, Azerbaijan, Egypt, Ethiopia,......
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The risk of natural disasters can be reduced by understanding our environment and the fundamental forces that shape it. Earth-observing satellites can provide vital information to mitigate and prepare for disasters. To raise awareness and demonstrate the capabilities of Earth......
No commentSANSA provided launch support to INTELSAT 20 satellite, weighing 6094 kg and built by SPACE SYSTEMS LORAL in Palo Alto (California) for INTELSAT SATELLITE LLC in Luxembourg. INTELSAT 20 will deliver high-power distribution of video, voice and data network services......
No commentDr Nicky Knox delivered a week long workshop on the theoretical and practical applications of hyperspectral remote sensing. The course primarily targeted the Honours level GIS and Remote Sensing students from the NMMU Dept of Geosciences. These students are currently......
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Dr Pierre Cilliers a SANSA Space Science Researcher, was the lead South African delegate at the XXXII biannual delegates meeting and open science conference of the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) in Portland, USA, which took place from 14......
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What fits in the palm of your hand, weighs 1.3 kg and uses less power than a 5watt light bulb? If you guessed ZACUBE-1, South Africa’s first nanosatellite, then you are right. ZACUBE-1 was designed and built mainly by postgraduate......
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The 7 September 2012 was declared National Arbor Week. In support of this initiative, employees at the South African National Space Agency (SANSA) took a few hours off their busy schedules on Friday the 7 September 2012, and braved the......
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The latest space and technological success has landed on the surface of Mars. After travelling 567 million kilometres, at a speed of 15 200 kilometres per hour, Mars rover Curiosity was automatically lowered by cables from a hovering ‘crane’ lifted......
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South Africa’s role as an important contributor to the global space industry was confirmed recently when local experts from SANSA Space Operations attended the international SpaceOps 2012 Conference and exhibition in Stockholm, Sweden. “SANSA, South Africa’s newly launched national space......
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Grade 10 students from Qhayiya High School in Hermanus attended a series of interactive Techno Programmes aimed at exposing students to the world of electronics. The programme provides a basic understanding of the practical applications of electronic components and how......
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The Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) Scientific Assembly was held in Mysore, India from 14 – 22 July 2012. SANSA was represented at COSPAR 2012 by Dr Lee-Anne McKinnell (MD Space Science), Dr Andrew Collier (SANSA Researcher), Dr Zama Katamzi......
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Dr Jakob van Zyl the associate director of Project Formulation and Strategy at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in California gave a public presentation on 16 July 2012. His presentation titled “Are We Alone? The Search for Signs of Life......
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A team from the State Department of the USA visited the facilities of SANSA Space Science on 19 July 2012 and were hosted by SANSA researcher, Dr Pieter Kotze. The five person team from the USA State Department was headed......
No commentThe SANSA Space Science Technology group visited Laboratoire Souterrain à Bas Bruit, an underground scientific laboratory in France. The team conducted magnetic surveys of the tunnel structure where a SQUID (superconducting quantum interference device) magnetometer is located. The SANSA team......
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Dr Lee-Anne McKinnell, MD of SANSA Space Science, travelled to Lusaka in Zambia for the official signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between SANSA and the University of Zambia. SANSA will be collaborating on a number of space science......
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Space operations specialists from the South African National Space Agency (SANSA) are among the technologists, scientists, managers and experts from space agencies, academic institutions, military organisations and the space industry globally who have gathered in Stockholm this week for the......
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