South Africa's Polar-Orbiting Ploughshares – A National Space Agency could help it become a regional powerhouse in Earth observation

Peter FairleyArticles, Earth Observation, Original, Politics, Technology

Image of SALT stars making circular trails around it. South Africa, having proven its satellite capacity in the design, build out, and launch of SunSat and SumbandilaSat, is preparing to take its space program into higher orbit with the launch of a space agency. Twelve months ago President Kgalema Motlanthe signed legislation to create the South African National Space Agency (SANSA), and nominations for a board were approved in the fall. Its mandate is to promote the peaceful use of space, accelerate the industrial development of space technology, and foster research and international cooperation space science and engineering.

GEOSS Reaching Beyond the Core

Peter FairleyArticles, GEO/GEOSS News, Original, People

Rob AdamsFollowing the creation of the ad hoc intergovernmental Group on Earth Observations in Washington in 2003, South Africa’s Rob Adam was selected as one of GEO’s four co-chairs, alongside colleagues from the U.S., Japan and the European Commission.