SA has taken a step into the space age with yesterday’s launch of the SA National Space Agency.

Science and technology minister Naledi Pandor says the launch of the agency forms the first phase in a plan to develop a formal space programme, which she hopes will boost SA’s economy and its global competitiveness.

The new strategy, also unveiled at Thursday’s launch, will result in SA building a host of satellite and ground-based observation platforms. These will be used in the development of navigation and positioning systems, communications technologies and scientific exploration, says Pandor.

Some of the observation platforms will be used to gather data on agriculture, environmental management and possibly even city planning in SA and Africa.

The strategy is also expected to foster international cooperation in space-related activities and grow SA’s skills base.

“Emphasis will be placed on encouraging space science research and development,” Pandor says.

She says the entire Southern African region will be able to benefit from the new agency and its strategy through the research and development completed locally.

The minister says a number of initiatives will be rolled out to ensure SA makes the most of its new space efforts.

The department will look at developing a team of scientists and engineers to grow the pool of skills locally. It will also create several centres of competence that will focus on developing technologies.

A campaign to promote SA’s space programme will be launched, with the aim of getting the wider public involved with the local space sector.

The new space agency should strengthen SA’s bid to host the world’s most powerful radio telescope, the Square Kilometre Array (SKA). — Staff reporter, TechCentral