15 January 2009
President Kgalema Motlanthe has signed the South African National Space
Agency Bill into law, which could see South Africa setting up its own space
agency later this year to pull together all space related activities in the
country under one banner.
The enactment of the law is seen as a step in the right direction given the
country's rich heritage of involvement in modern astronomy, which dates back to
1685, when the first temporary observatory was established in Cape. Published
in the Government Gazette on 15 December 2008, the National Space Agency Act
provides for the establishment of a national space agency to implement a space
programme for South Africa.
The agency will promote the peaceful use of outer space; foster research in
astronomy, earth observation, communications, navigation and space physics;
foster international co-operation in space related activities and advance
scientific, engineering and technological competencies through human capital
development and outreach programmes.
The agency must facilitate the development of space missions, develop
technology platforms and acquire, assimilate and disseminate space satellite
data for any organ of state. It will also implement the National Space Strategy
which was approved by Cabinet in December 2008, to stimulate the capability to
place South Africa among the leading nations in the innovative utilisation of
space science and technology.
The strategy is derived from the Department of Science and Technology's 10
year innovation plan, which includes space science and technology as one of the
five grand challenges. The agency is also expected to bring together the work
of several institutions and harness their capacities to leverage billions of
rands to boost the economy and create more jobs. Some of the projects it will
coordinate include the square kilometre array bid, the Southern African large
telescope, and the launch of South Africa's second indigenous satellite.
The first step towards its establishment will be the appointment of board of
10 to 15 members, a chief executive officer who is an ex-official member, and a
chairperson appointed by the Minister of Science and Technology.
The board will advise the Minister on any matter relating to space affairs
that may influence the functions of the agency; monitor the research priorities
and programmes of the agency and after consultation with the Minister,
establish or disestablish any of the body's organisational divisions.
For more information contact
Mr Nhlanhla Nyide
Chief Director: Communication
Cell: 082 871 6767
Issued by: Department of Science and Technology
15 December 2008
Source: Department of Science and Technology (http//www.dst.gov.za)
