South African National Space Agency
Encyclopedia
The South African National Space Agency (SANSA) is South Africa's government agency responsible for the promotion and development of aeronautics
and aerospace
space research. It fosters cooperation in space-related activities and research in space science
, seeks to advance scientific engineering through human capital, as well as the peaceful use of outer space
, and supports the creation of an environment conducive to the industrial development of space technologies within the framework of national government.
SANSA was established on December 9, 2009 by the National Space Agency Act.
Currently, SANSA's main focusses include using data obtained from remote sensing
through satellites and other projects to provide assessment on flooding, fires, resource management and environmental phenomena in South Africa and the African continent.
Throughout the 1950s to 1970s lunar and interplanetary missions conducted by NASA
had been supported from a tracking station at Hartebeesthoek where the first images of Mars were received from the Mariner IV spacecraft in the first successful flyby of the planet. Other South African facilities also assisted in tracking satellites to determine the effects of the upper atmosphere on their orbit
s.
In 1980s work on the development of a launcher and a satellite had been in progress but was discontinued after 1994. In 1999, South Africa launched its first satellite, SUNSAT
from Vandenberg Air Force Base
. A second satellite, SumbandilaSat
, was launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome
in 2009.
Aeronautics
Aeronautics is the science involved with the study, design, and manufacturing of airflight-capable machines, or the techniques of operating aircraft and rocketry within the atmosphere...
and aerospace
Aerospace
Aerospace comprises the atmosphere of Earth and surrounding space. Typically the term is used to refer to the industry that researches, designs, manufactures, operates, and maintains vehicles moving through air and space...
space research. It fosters cooperation in space-related activities and research in space science
Space science
The term space science may mean:* The study of issues specifically related to space travel and space exploration, including space medicine.* Science performed in outer space ....
, seeks to advance scientific engineering through human capital, as well as the peaceful use of outer space
Outer space
Outer space is the void that exists between celestial bodies, including the Earth. It is not completely empty, but consists of a hard vacuum containing a low density of particles: predominantly a plasma of hydrogen and helium, as well as electromagnetic radiation, magnetic fields, and neutrinos....
, and supports the creation of an environment conducive to the industrial development of space technologies within the framework of national government.
SANSA was established on December 9, 2009 by the National Space Agency Act.
Currently, SANSA's main focusses include using data obtained from remote sensing
Remote sensing
Remote sensing is the acquisition of information about an object or phenomenon, without making physical contact with the object. In modern usage, the term generally refers to the use of aerial sensor technologies to detect and classify objects on Earth by means of propagated signals Remote sensing...
through satellites and other projects to provide assessment on flooding, fires, resource management and environmental phenomena in South Africa and the African continent.
History
SANSA was formed after an act of parliament was passed by acting President Kgalema Motlanthe in 2009. The agency was formed with the intent of consolidating space-related research, projects and research in South Africa and to assume the role as a regional center for space research in Africa.Throughout the 1950s to 1970s lunar and interplanetary missions conducted by NASA
NASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the agency of the United States government that is responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research...
had been supported from a tracking station at Hartebeesthoek where the first images of Mars were received from the Mariner IV spacecraft in the first successful flyby of the planet. Other South African facilities also assisted in tracking satellites to determine the effects of the upper atmosphere on their orbit
Orbit
In physics, an orbit is the gravitationally curved path of an object around a point in space, for example the orbit of a planet around the center of a star system, such as the Solar System...
s.
In 1980s work on the development of a launcher and a satellite had been in progress but was discontinued after 1994. In 1999, South Africa launched its first satellite, SUNSAT
SUNSAT
The Stellenbosch UNiversity SATellite is the first miniaturized satellite designed and manufactured in South Africa. It was launched aboard a Delta II rocket from the Vandenberg Air Force Base on 23 February 1999. Sunsat was built by post-graduate engineering students at the University of...
from Vandenberg Air Force Base
Vandenberg Air Force Base
Vandenberg Air Force Base is a United States Air Force Base, located approximately northwest of Lompoc, California. It is under the jurisdiction of the 30th Space Wing, Air Force Space Command ....
. A second satellite, SumbandilaSat
SumbandilaSat
SumbandilaSat , is a South African micro earth observation satellite, launched 2009-09-17 on a Soyuz-2 launch vehicle from the Baikonur Cosmodrome...
, was launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome
Baikonur Cosmodrome
The Baikonur Cosmodrome , also called Tyuratam, is the world's first and largest operational space launch facility. It is located in the desert steppe of Kazakhstan, about east of the Aral Sea, north of the Syr Darya river, near Tyuratam railway station, at 90 meters above sea level...
in 2009.
See also
- SumbandilaSatSumbandilaSatSumbandilaSat , is a South African micro earth observation satellite, launched 2009-09-17 on a Soyuz-2 launch vehicle from the Baikonur Cosmodrome...
, South African built Satellite (also known as ZASAT02) - SUNSATSUNSATThe Stellenbosch UNiversity SATellite is the first miniaturized satellite designed and manufactured in South Africa. It was launched aboard a Delta II rocket from the Vandenberg Air Force Base on 23 February 1999. Sunsat was built by post-graduate engineering students at the University of...
, first South African Satellite to be launched - SANSA Space Science
- List of aerospace engineering topics