Mr Mosibudi Mangena, at the announcement of the South African micro-satellite,
Scientia Park, Pretoria
31 July 2006
Director-General, Phil Mjwara,
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and gentlemen:
Todayâs function marks another milestone in space science and technology.
Recent developments demonstrate South Africaâs commitment to participate
meaningfully in global satellite observation and engineering. A number of
government departments namely defence, communications, land affairs and
agriculture, provincial and local government and science and technology
including Statistics South Africa have invested significantly in a three year
inter-governmental licensing for the acquisition of spot satellite imagery.
South Africa has also re-established the Space Affairs Council to regulate
space activities while my Department is leading the process of establishing a
space agency for South Africa. The agency will contribute to the countryâs
economic growth and create opportunities for graduates in space science,
engineering and technology.
Last October we announced a three year integrated capacity building and
satellite development programme. The University of Stellenbosch has been tasked
with the development of a Low Earth Orbiting (LEO) satellite and academic
training programme. This programme is well underway and the launch of the South
African LEO micro-satellite is planned for December 2006 in Russia. A
qualification review of the South African micro-satellite established good
progress last month. The project timelines are well on schedule and the
internship programme is gaining momentum.
The LEO micro-satellite is an Earth observation satellite system and its
main payload is a remote sensing camera. The secondary payload is a
telecommunications system funded by the Department of Communications and other
experimental payloads have been developed by various academic institutions in
South Africa.
The LEO micro-satellite will generate satellite imagery at 6,25 meter ground
sampling distance. The satellite imagery will support decision making in for
example, natural resource management, disaster management, agriculture, urban
planning and other applications. Five universities conducting experiments for
experimental payloads will present the scientific community with exciting
results in low frequency radio waves, radiation, software defined radio, forced
vibrating string and radio amateur transponder.
The LEO micro-satellite will also strengthen South Africaâs role in
national, regional and international space initiatives that are already in
progress. These initiatives include the South African Environmental
Observations Network (SAEON) and the African Resource and Environmental
Programme (ARM). It will also strengthen South Africaâs technological
capability and innovation.
The South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (SAASTA) was
contracted to run a satellite naming competition among high school learners. A
total of 50 000 entry forms were printed and distributed by SAASTA to high
school learners in all nine provinces. More than three thousand entries were
received by SAASTA on the closing date of the competition. The entries came
from all over South Africa with a significant number from rural areas.
Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, I have given you a brief outline
of our space science, engineering and technology activities and it gives me
pleasure to announce the winners of the satellite naming competition. I am told
a panel of seven judges from the University of Stellenbosch, Sunspace,
Department of Science and Technology (DST), Department of Communication,
Department of Trade and Industry and the CSIR-Satellite Application Centre
convened at SAASTA to shortlist three candidates from the entries. And the
criteria set by the judges were that the name should reflect a South African
identity, technological advancement, hope and a brighter future for the
country.
Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, the name of South African Low
Earth Orbiting micro-satellite is Sumbandila, which means âlead the way.â
Issued by: Department of Science and Technology
31 July 2006
