Anthony Penderis Satellite Industry Articles
This article was also published in:
https://africanews.space/africa-needs-the-space-industry-to-go-forward/
https://africabusiness.com/2020/07/18/africa-needs-the-space-industry-to-go-forward/
https://flipboard.com/topic/geology/africa-needs-the-space-industry-to-go-forward-africabusiness-com/a-7cc30gH7TrugcxWBnkjg5w%3Aa%3A1803010445-185212dc9a%2Fafricabusiness.com
17 July 2020
Report by:
Anthony Penderis, Editor African Association of Remote Sensing of the Environment.
Africa needs the space industry to go forward
The African continent is bound to become increasingly more dependent on the space industry for job creation, poverty alleviation and sustainable resource management. These were some of the findings in a paper recently published by an expert in the field of Earth Observation and Geo-Information Sciences.
The paper titled “The status of Earth Observation (EO) & Geo-Information Sciences in Africa – trends and challenges”was published in the journal of Geospatial Information Science, by Prof Tsehaie Woldai* in February this year. Woldai is a Visiting Professor at the School of Geosciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
In his research, he found that up to end of last year 28 of the 54 African countries were already engaged in the Earth Observation and Geo-Information Sciences through 90 academic institutions, 17 national scientific associations,53 national space agencies, 10 satellite receiving and tracking stations and few regional technical laboratories. While the industry currently provides employment to some 15 000 people on the African continent, Woldai expects this number to exceed 100 000 by the year 2025.
The growing dependence of the continent on the satellite industry is also clear from the fact that by the end of last year 11 African countries have already launched 36 satellites together into orbit while another five are expected by the first quarter of 2021 plus another five by 2025 thus amounting to 46 satellites, a total not foreseen ten years ago.
The reason for Prof Woldai’s optimism is that this industry can without being trapped by the continent’s poor infrastructure address some of its most pressing problems cost-effectively. Africa faces huge challenges in the domain of environmental protection and management, water resources, food security, mining and forest management, marine protection, urban and regional planning, transportation and disaster risk reduction.
Africa’s agricultural sector unquestionably has vast potential for growth if taken into account that the continent harbours 60% of the world’s available arable land but generates only 10% of global agricultural output. At present, its agriculture provides a livelihood to 70% of the African population. A well-managed agricultural sector would clearly be of great benefit to this continent.
Being an academic Woldai believes that harnessing the power of the academic institutions to reduce poverty is not an ideological aspiration but an empirically demonstrable fact. In his opinion universities have proved to be the only sustainable institutions in Africa and being the national pride of every country they have time and again withstood upheavals across the continent. Applied research is also one of their core businesses, at least in Africa.
He, therefore, is optimistic about the future of the growth and application of Earth Observation and Geo-Information Sciences across the continent provided there is good co-operation between the public sector (government ministries and departments); academic institutions (universities/colleges/national or regional centres); space agencies; and private sector companies. His success recipe for this sector are based on the following:
Efforts to build capacities for managing EO/RS and geo-information in Africa span more than three decades. Traditionally, much of the capacity building had been at regional centres (such as AFRIGIST formerly RECTAS in Nigeria, the defunct Regional Remote Sensing Center in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso and RCMRD in Kenya) or abroad, by way of training few professionals, mainly from the surveyor-general departments or universities and equipping these organizations in map-making and related activities. Today African Universities contribute to societal capacity by functioning as nodes in a global network of knowledge. The majority of them provide dedicated geomatic, remote sensing and geoinformation science education and training. While 11% of the universities and colleges are known to offer three to seven day GIS courses to undergraduates; around 23% have degrees and research programs leading to BSc, MSc, and PhDs.
The creation of new companies over the last few years and their development clearly shows that the African private sector companies are steadily growing in 28 of the 54 countries of Africa. Encouraged by the moderate success booked in the 2016 African Private Sector Survey questionnaires another one was conducted in 2019. The number of people employed by 2019increased by 66% (from 2719 in 2016 to 4109). In terms of revenues, all responding companies performed in a range from $500k – $ 5 million/year. Some companies from Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa have taken the opportunity created since the 2016 report to open subsidiary companies in other East and West African countries.
Numerous networks which facilitate the exchange of information and promotion of excellence in the field have also come into being all over Africa. Some with a Pan-African character include the African Association of Remote Sensing of the Environment (AARSE); AfriGEOSS (part of the Global Earth Observation System of Systems - GEOSS); the Environmental Information Systems Africa (EIS-AFRICA); and the University Network for Disaster Risk Reduction in Africa (UNEDRA).
The African continent, with over a billion people, has been one of the rapidly growing economies in the world in the last eight years. It is no wonder, therefore, that the continent is awakening to look into space-based EO and Geo-Information Sciences technologies and investment to proliferate, harness and use the benefits that this technology offers. The sudden increase in the deployment of satellites by the African States might appear irrational to some, especially that the continent has numerous pressing issues affecting the livelihood of its population. These problems, however, can be tackled using space-based EO and Geospatial techniques to a certain extent.
Prof Woldai concludes that if Africa is to ‘leapfrog’ its obstacles effectively, the continent needs to invest in science and maths education at schools and develop an indigenous critical mass of trained space scientists, engineers and programmers at universities. The continent must build its capabilities in ICT infrastructure, satellite communication, navigation and positioning, and space sciences. Internet connectivity is another barrier to development that should be tackled.
Prof. Woldai’s full article can be read at:
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10095020.2020.1730711
End
Caption 1
The list of African satellites launched from 1998 to February 2020. The satellites were launched for Earth Observation (Designated as A); science technology demonstration and education/scientific experiments (B); Communication (C); Reconnaissance/Military (radar) (D) and for climate change and weather monitoring (E).
Caption 2
Prof Tsehaie Woldai is currently a Visiting Professor of Geological Remote Sensing at the School of Geosciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
* Additional notes about Prof Tsehaie Woldai
Tsehaie Woldai is currently a Visiting Professor of Geological Remote Sensing at the School of Geosciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa. He has worked for many years at the Faculty of Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation (ITC), University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands. Woldai expertise is in structural geology, environmental geology, remote sensing (optical, radar and hyperspectral) and mineral exploration. He has taught in over 40 universities in Africa, Asia, Europe, North and South America. Woldai is the Founder, President and Past President of the African Association of Remote Sensing of the Environment (AARSE), a fellow of the African Academy of Sciences, a Fellow of the African Geological Society, coordinator of the University Network for Disaster Risk Reduction in Africa (UNEDRA), and a winner of over 20 prestigious awards. For many years, he was involved in many of the ISPRS Commissions and Working Group (as Chairman/Vice Chairman/Secretary); and a track record in his engagement n over 40 national/international Advisory Programmes and over 20 international research as Principle or co-investigator
Enquiries
Anthony Penderis
[email protected]
084 306 0331
Prof Tsehaie Woldai
[email protected]
https://africanews.space/africa-needs-the-space-industry-to-go-forward/
https://africabusiness.com/2020/07/18/africa-needs-the-space-industry-to-go-forward/
https://flipboard.com/topic/geology/africa-needs-the-space-industry-to-go-forward-africabusiness-com/a-7cc30gH7TrugcxWBnkjg5w%3Aa%3A1803010445-185212dc9a%2Fafricabusiness.com
17 July 2020
Report by:
Anthony Penderis, Editor African Association of Remote Sensing of the Environment.
Africa needs the space industry to go forward
The African continent is bound to become increasingly more dependent on the space industry for job creation, poverty alleviation and sustainable resource management. These were some of the findings in a paper recently published by an expert in the field of Earth Observation and Geo-Information Sciences.
The paper titled “The status of Earth Observation (EO) & Geo-Information Sciences in Africa – trends and challenges”was published in the journal of Geospatial Information Science, by Prof Tsehaie Woldai* in February this year. Woldai is a Visiting Professor at the School of Geosciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
In his research, he found that up to end of last year 28 of the 54 African countries were already engaged in the Earth Observation and Geo-Information Sciences through 90 academic institutions, 17 national scientific associations,53 national space agencies, 10 satellite receiving and tracking stations and few regional technical laboratories. While the industry currently provides employment to some 15 000 people on the African continent, Woldai expects this number to exceed 100 000 by the year 2025.
The growing dependence of the continent on the satellite industry is also clear from the fact that by the end of last year 11 African countries have already launched 36 satellites together into orbit while another five are expected by the first quarter of 2021 plus another five by 2025 thus amounting to 46 satellites, a total not foreseen ten years ago.
The reason for Prof Woldai’s optimism is that this industry can without being trapped by the continent’s poor infrastructure address some of its most pressing problems cost-effectively. Africa faces huge challenges in the domain of environmental protection and management, water resources, food security, mining and forest management, marine protection, urban and regional planning, transportation and disaster risk reduction.
Africa’s agricultural sector unquestionably has vast potential for growth if taken into account that the continent harbours 60% of the world’s available arable land but generates only 10% of global agricultural output. At present, its agriculture provides a livelihood to 70% of the African population. A well-managed agricultural sector would clearly be of great benefit to this continent.
Being an academic Woldai believes that harnessing the power of the academic institutions to reduce poverty is not an ideological aspiration but an empirically demonstrable fact. In his opinion universities have proved to be the only sustainable institutions in Africa and being the national pride of every country they have time and again withstood upheavals across the continent. Applied research is also one of their core businesses, at least in Africa.
He, therefore, is optimistic about the future of the growth and application of Earth Observation and Geo-Information Sciences across the continent provided there is good co-operation between the public sector (government ministries and departments); academic institutions (universities/colleges/national or regional centres); space agencies; and private sector companies. His success recipe for this sector are based on the following:
- A well-informed public sector to develop a strategy and architecture for space exploration and space data thus creating an empowering environment so that the benefits of public-private partnership can be appreciated;
- Highly developed academic institutions to support capacity development in EO and Geo-Information Sciences, space engineering and technology; and
- A thriving private sector to serve as an engine for economic growth.
Efforts to build capacities for managing EO/RS and geo-information in Africa span more than three decades. Traditionally, much of the capacity building had been at regional centres (such as AFRIGIST formerly RECTAS in Nigeria, the defunct Regional Remote Sensing Center in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso and RCMRD in Kenya) or abroad, by way of training few professionals, mainly from the surveyor-general departments or universities and equipping these organizations in map-making and related activities. Today African Universities contribute to societal capacity by functioning as nodes in a global network of knowledge. The majority of them provide dedicated geomatic, remote sensing and geoinformation science education and training. While 11% of the universities and colleges are known to offer three to seven day GIS courses to undergraduates; around 23% have degrees and research programs leading to BSc, MSc, and PhDs.
The creation of new companies over the last few years and their development clearly shows that the African private sector companies are steadily growing in 28 of the 54 countries of Africa. Encouraged by the moderate success booked in the 2016 African Private Sector Survey questionnaires another one was conducted in 2019. The number of people employed by 2019increased by 66% (from 2719 in 2016 to 4109). In terms of revenues, all responding companies performed in a range from $500k – $ 5 million/year. Some companies from Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa have taken the opportunity created since the 2016 report to open subsidiary companies in other East and West African countries.
Numerous networks which facilitate the exchange of information and promotion of excellence in the field have also come into being all over Africa. Some with a Pan-African character include the African Association of Remote Sensing of the Environment (AARSE); AfriGEOSS (part of the Global Earth Observation System of Systems - GEOSS); the Environmental Information Systems Africa (EIS-AFRICA); and the University Network for Disaster Risk Reduction in Africa (UNEDRA).
The African continent, with over a billion people, has been one of the rapidly growing economies in the world in the last eight years. It is no wonder, therefore, that the continent is awakening to look into space-based EO and Geo-Information Sciences technologies and investment to proliferate, harness and use the benefits that this technology offers. The sudden increase in the deployment of satellites by the African States might appear irrational to some, especially that the continent has numerous pressing issues affecting the livelihood of its population. These problems, however, can be tackled using space-based EO and Geospatial techniques to a certain extent.
Prof Woldai concludes that if Africa is to ‘leapfrog’ its obstacles effectively, the continent needs to invest in science and maths education at schools and develop an indigenous critical mass of trained space scientists, engineers and programmers at universities. The continent must build its capabilities in ICT infrastructure, satellite communication, navigation and positioning, and space sciences. Internet connectivity is another barrier to development that should be tackled.
Prof. Woldai’s full article can be read at:
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10095020.2020.1730711
End
Caption 1
The list of African satellites launched from 1998 to February 2020. The satellites were launched for Earth Observation (Designated as A); science technology demonstration and education/scientific experiments (B); Communication (C); Reconnaissance/Military (radar) (D) and for climate change and weather monitoring (E).
Caption 2
Prof Tsehaie Woldai is currently a Visiting Professor of Geological Remote Sensing at the School of Geosciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
* Additional notes about Prof Tsehaie Woldai
Tsehaie Woldai is currently a Visiting Professor of Geological Remote Sensing at the School of Geosciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa. He has worked for many years at the Faculty of Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation (ITC), University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands. Woldai expertise is in structural geology, environmental geology, remote sensing (optical, radar and hyperspectral) and mineral exploration. He has taught in over 40 universities in Africa, Asia, Europe, North and South America. Woldai is the Founder, President and Past President of the African Association of Remote Sensing of the Environment (AARSE), a fellow of the African Academy of Sciences, a Fellow of the African Geological Society, coordinator of the University Network for Disaster Risk Reduction in Africa (UNEDRA), and a winner of over 20 prestigious awards. For many years, he was involved in many of the ISPRS Commissions and Working Group (as Chairman/Vice Chairman/Secretary); and a track record in his engagement n over 40 national/international Advisory Programmes and over 20 international research as Principle or co-investigator
Enquiries
Anthony Penderis
[email protected]
084 306 0331
Prof Tsehaie Woldai
[email protected]
| sm_jan2019_southafrica.pdf |
Media Release
21 December 2018
South African Space Industry in need of drastic shake-up
By Anthony Penderis/ Newsletter Editor: African Association of Remote Sensing of the Environment (AARSE)
The South African Space Industry is in need of a drastic shake-up otherwise the country will miss out on the Fourth Industrial Revolution now driving economies worldwide.
Lack of funding and the fact the the country’s space industry is not operation in a coordinated manner could be to blame. This is the message that Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) and the South African Council of Space Affairs (SACSA) received loud and clear at an October workshop in Cape Town to test the space fraternity's response to its Space Industry Development Framework and draft Space Legislation.
But it seems that SACSA whose mandate is to advise the dti on space legislation and related matters was well aware of the space industry's precarious position, hence the study and preparation of the new space legislation.
"We regard the space industry as one the strategic sectors in our country and an essential enabler to the digital economy and a driving force to Fourth Industrial Revolution worldwide," says Ms Nomfuneko Majaja the dti’s Chief Director.
“Apart from its obvious advantages in communication, it is also clear that space technology now finds application in just about every sector of governance in the domains of Energy, Agriculture, Forestry, Maritime, Mining, Mapping, Urban and Rural Development, Transportation, Intelligence and Disaster Management.
“My vision therefore is that the South African Space Sector needs focussed co-ordination and should be led by a unit, which reports directly to the Presidency. In this way all government departments can be answerable to the Presidency and become accountable according to their respective sectoral mandates. Data is a key intelligence tool for effective management of government resources and service delivery. However, this cannot be possible without the government’s commitment in supporting the industry as it is one of the highly technological ones and capital intensive with endless benefits for the economy and the country at large.
"This will put us in a better position to open up the digital economy to all South Africans not only in urban areas but also in far flung rural areas, where terrestrial infrastructure is not possible. It will improve service delivery and can help to reduce the inequalities we still experience in our country,“ says Ms Majaja.
Some of the most important recommendations contained in the Space Industry Development Framework report presented at the workshop can be summarized as follows:
The report also highlighted the fact that buy-in of space data via commercial satellite operators is extremely costly and does not meet all South African needs; that the South African National Space Agency (SANSA) compared to 24 national space agencies worldwide has to operate on the third lowest annual budget of only 9.5 million US dollars (2017); and that South Africa has slipped back from being the leading African space nation now to sharing the number one spot with Algeria both with a total of 6 satellites in space. The Algerian Space Agency (ASAL) operated on a budget of 360 million US dollars last year.
The workshop titled ‘Building a Development Framework for the South African Space Sector’ was organized by the South African Department of Trade and Industry at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) on 15 October 2018. It was a two-pronged workshop with the objective to present the Draft Space Industry Development Framework compiled by Blueprint Holdings (PTY) Ltd as well as SACSA’s draft Space Legislation to the country’s space stakeholders for comments.
The draft Space Legislation to be introduced in Parliament by September 2019 was presented by Ms Nomfuneko Majaja the dti’s Chief Director.
More information on these events can be requested from [email protected] or n[email protected]
1 Caption Ms Nomfuneko Majaja.jpg
Ms Nomfuneko Majaja, Chief Director of South Africa’s Department of Trade and Industry
2 Caption Space Agency Budgets Worldwide.jpg
This comparison of 23 national space agency budgets worldwide clearly shows that South Africa is third lowest. Algeria scores the highest amongst African countries with an annual budget of $360m compared to $9.5m for South Africa during 2017. This graph was presented by Blueprint Holdings (PTY) Ltd at the Draft Space Industry Development Framework workshop on 15 October 2018. Source: International Space Agencies 2018
This report was compiled by Anthony Penderis, Newsletter Editor: African Association of Remote Sensing of the Environment (AARSE)
Enquiries
A Penderis
+27 84 306 0331
[email protected]
21 December 2018
South African Space Industry in need of drastic shake-up
By Anthony Penderis/ Newsletter Editor: African Association of Remote Sensing of the Environment (AARSE)
The South African Space Industry is in need of a drastic shake-up otherwise the country will miss out on the Fourth Industrial Revolution now driving economies worldwide.
Lack of funding and the fact the the country’s space industry is not operation in a coordinated manner could be to blame. This is the message that Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) and the South African Council of Space Affairs (SACSA) received loud and clear at an October workshop in Cape Town to test the space fraternity's response to its Space Industry Development Framework and draft Space Legislation.
But it seems that SACSA whose mandate is to advise the dti on space legislation and related matters was well aware of the space industry's precarious position, hence the study and preparation of the new space legislation.
"We regard the space industry as one the strategic sectors in our country and an essential enabler to the digital economy and a driving force to Fourth Industrial Revolution worldwide," says Ms Nomfuneko Majaja the dti’s Chief Director.
“Apart from its obvious advantages in communication, it is also clear that space technology now finds application in just about every sector of governance in the domains of Energy, Agriculture, Forestry, Maritime, Mining, Mapping, Urban and Rural Development, Transportation, Intelligence and Disaster Management.
“My vision therefore is that the South African Space Sector needs focussed co-ordination and should be led by a unit, which reports directly to the Presidency. In this way all government departments can be answerable to the Presidency and become accountable according to their respective sectoral mandates. Data is a key intelligence tool for effective management of government resources and service delivery. However, this cannot be possible without the government’s commitment in supporting the industry as it is one of the highly technological ones and capital intensive with endless benefits for the economy and the country at large.
"This will put us in a better position to open up the digital economy to all South Africans not only in urban areas but also in far flung rural areas, where terrestrial infrastructure is not possible. It will improve service delivery and can help to reduce the inequalities we still experience in our country,“ says Ms Majaja.
Some of the most important recommendations contained in the Space Industry Development Framework report presented at the workshop can be summarized as follows:
- The South African socio-economy cannot become more equal without access to space-based communications and space-enabled data;
- Space technology can very quickly reduce costs for government (data and communications) and can increase earnings in the short, medium and long term - especially through profit and exports. This can also enable intelligent decision making;
- Access to satellite generated data, and the information derived from this in real time, can improve the performance for every single government department and speed up service delivery without exception from Social Services to Agriculture;
- It can provide access for remote and deprived communities to most needed specialized health, advanced education and other services they currently have no access to;
- Space enabled data can also assist SMME’s in assessing networks which could open endless opportunities in the field of consumer application;
- Services related to Spaceports, including launch services and potentially space tourism will facilitate infrastructure development, related jobs and potentially, a tourism offering, however this is seen as long-term developments;
- Industry should operate in a coordinated fashion of clustering their activities;
- Broadening participation should be the cornerstone of all space development for inclusive growth.
The report also highlighted the fact that buy-in of space data via commercial satellite operators is extremely costly and does not meet all South African needs; that the South African National Space Agency (SANSA) compared to 24 national space agencies worldwide has to operate on the third lowest annual budget of only 9.5 million US dollars (2017); and that South Africa has slipped back from being the leading African space nation now to sharing the number one spot with Algeria both with a total of 6 satellites in space. The Algerian Space Agency (ASAL) operated on a budget of 360 million US dollars last year.
The workshop titled ‘Building a Development Framework for the South African Space Sector’ was organized by the South African Department of Trade and Industry at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) on 15 October 2018. It was a two-pronged workshop with the objective to present the Draft Space Industry Development Framework compiled by Blueprint Holdings (PTY) Ltd as well as SACSA’s draft Space Legislation to the country’s space stakeholders for comments.
The draft Space Legislation to be introduced in Parliament by September 2019 was presented by Ms Nomfuneko Majaja the dti’s Chief Director.
More information on these events can be requested from [email protected] or n[email protected]
1 Caption Ms Nomfuneko Majaja.jpg
Ms Nomfuneko Majaja, Chief Director of South Africa’s Department of Trade and Industry
2 Caption Space Agency Budgets Worldwide.jpg
This comparison of 23 national space agency budgets worldwide clearly shows that South Africa is third lowest. Algeria scores the highest amongst African countries with an annual budget of $360m compared to $9.5m for South Africa during 2017. This graph was presented by Blueprint Holdings (PTY) Ltd at the Draft Space Industry Development Framework workshop on 15 October 2018. Source: International Space Agencies 2018
This report was compiled by Anthony Penderis, Newsletter Editor: African Association of Remote Sensing of the Environment (AARSE)
Enquiries
A Penderis
+27 84 306 0331
[email protected]
Media Release
28 June 2018
Successful South African space company sets sights for cutting-edge satellite equipment
Bolstered by the anniversary of their first camera operating in outer space and being chosen to develop space hardware for a unique science mission currently orbiting the moon, a South African satellite company is now poised to deliver the highest resolution hyperspectral camera yet to fit into a Cubesat.
Last week on Friday 22 June the Cape Town-based Space Advisory Company (SAC) celebrated the anniversary of the first image taken over Canada by their Gecko Imager from outer space at an altitude of 400km. The Imager is still operating flawlessly from their satellite orbiting Earth. This anniversary follows hot on the heels of supplying a critical digital controller unit for a Dutch astronomy experiment hitching a ride on the Chinese Change’4 satellite currently orbiting the far side of the moon.
“Our next exciting step is producing the Chameleon Imager for the standard CubeSat 2U volume which will realise a ground resolution of 10m over a swath of 32km wide from a distance of 500km. This means we will fit a camera into a box the size of two hands put together with a weight of 1.35kg which can recognize an object as small as a bus from 500km away,” says Duncan Stanton, CEO of Space Advisory Company (SAC).
“This camera is configured to store up to 160GB of data onboard in either the RGB, Multispectral or Hyperspectral format with a multitude of potential applications such as enabling food security programs through crop monitoring and bio-mass classification, mining and prospecting, fire detection and infrastructure monitoring.
“Our Chameleon Imager is a highly capable and configurable system - hence the name - which draws heritage from both the space proven operational Gecko Imager plus the hardware developed by us for the Netherlands-China Low Frequency Explorer (NCLE) currently on board the Change’4 satellite orbiting the low gravity Second Earth-Moon Lagrange Point (E-M L2) some 60 - 80,000 kilometres beyond the moon,” says Duncan.
Duncan is no less proud of his team of satellite engineers and specialists which he describes as world-class with the ability to rapidly innovate, respond to client and technology changes and deliver quality operational systems within tight time frames. “The ability to put together a high performance spaceborne payload in less than 6 months, can be attributed to the honed skills of the SAC engineers comfortable with working on ambitious deadlines. Having tailored our systems engineering methodology with designed digital modular building blocks we are now flexible enough to adapt rapidly to evolutions in the small satellite industry,” says Kannas Wiid, product engineer of the Gecko Imager at Space Advisory Company.
The Gecko Imager won a prestigious innovation award at the 2017 Da Vinci Top Technology (TT100) Awards, South Africa's foremost technology innovation awards, with SAC being finalists in all of the qualifying categories and also a winner in the management of systems category. In addition, they were ranked in the Top 3 of the prestigious 2018 Innovation League Awards, for medium enterprises within South Africa.
The company’s first in-house spaceborne hyperspectral imager, initially developed with support from the Aerospace Industry Support Initiative (AISI), had been delivered to SCS-Space by SAC during 2017 for testing and calibration in SCS-Space’s recently commissioned facility. “A final and crucial link in the chain has been added by SCS-Space, this means that essential facilities required during design, development, integration and testing are available within the SCS Aerospace Group”, said Daniel van Niekerk, COO at Space Advisory Company. “Having the major critical components, supply chain and facilities locally within South Africa, ensures that we can deliver cutting edge technology, such as the Hyperspectral Chameleon Imager, to the local and international market”.
The company also states that the environmental constraints imposed on the in-house designed systems ensure that they will survive the harsh effects of vacuum, radiation, heat and vibration encountered en-route and in space. With an internal design philosophy focussed on modularity, quality, high-performance, volume constrained systems their products are also suitable to opportunities closer to Earth on High Altitude Aerial Platforms such as UAVs/Drones or basically any area where remote observation is required.
The company is part of the SCS Aerospace Group (SCSAG) of three which consists of Space Advisory Company (SAC)(www.spaceadvisory.com) providing innovative satellite programme and systems products, engineering consultancy and training solutions; SCS Space (www.scs-space.com) which provides satellite mission solutions as well as satellite systems; and NewSpace Systems (www.newspacesystems.com) which develops and manufactures high-quality space components and sub-systems. The group employs some 90 highly trained satellite specialists including electronic, systems, software and mechanical engineers.
Their next generation Chameleon Imager can be ordered either online at www.CubeSatShop.com or through direct enquiry at www.spaceadvisory.com where full specifications of the product are available.
End
Captions
SAC Chameleon Team
The main force behind the design and development of the Chameleon Hyperspectral Imager is from left Kannas Wiid (Digital Team Lead), Rikus Cronjé (Electro-Optical Systems Engineer) and Bryan Dean (Lead Systems Engineer).
SAC - Gecko – Vredefort
A photo taken by the Space Advisory Service Gecko Imager on board their nSight-1 Satellite from a height of 400km. This image depicts part of the Orange River and Vredefort Dome in South Africa which is the largest verified impact crater on Earth, some 190 kilometers across and also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
SAC - Chameleon – Scale
The scale of the Chameleon Hyperspectral Imager designed to fit into a standard CubeSat 2U frame.
SAC - Chameleon – Assembly
The Chameleon Hyperspectral Imager will realize a ground resolution of 10m over a swath of 32km wide from a distance of 500km. It is configured to store up to 160GB of memory at a time which can be regularly downloaded to Ground Stations on Earth.
This report was compiled by Anthony Penderis Media Services
Enquiries
Francois Denner (CEO:SCSAG) Duncan Stanton (CEO:SAC)
+27 (0) 21 300 0060 +27 (0) 82 964 8183
[email protected] [email protected]
Anthony Penderis
+27 (0) 84 306 0331
[email protected]
28 June 2018
Successful South African space company sets sights for cutting-edge satellite equipment
Bolstered by the anniversary of their first camera operating in outer space and being chosen to develop space hardware for a unique science mission currently orbiting the moon, a South African satellite company is now poised to deliver the highest resolution hyperspectral camera yet to fit into a Cubesat.
Last week on Friday 22 June the Cape Town-based Space Advisory Company (SAC) celebrated the anniversary of the first image taken over Canada by their Gecko Imager from outer space at an altitude of 400km. The Imager is still operating flawlessly from their satellite orbiting Earth. This anniversary follows hot on the heels of supplying a critical digital controller unit for a Dutch astronomy experiment hitching a ride on the Chinese Change’4 satellite currently orbiting the far side of the moon.
“Our next exciting step is producing the Chameleon Imager for the standard CubeSat 2U volume which will realise a ground resolution of 10m over a swath of 32km wide from a distance of 500km. This means we will fit a camera into a box the size of two hands put together with a weight of 1.35kg which can recognize an object as small as a bus from 500km away,” says Duncan Stanton, CEO of Space Advisory Company (SAC).
“This camera is configured to store up to 160GB of data onboard in either the RGB, Multispectral or Hyperspectral format with a multitude of potential applications such as enabling food security programs through crop monitoring and bio-mass classification, mining and prospecting, fire detection and infrastructure monitoring.
“Our Chameleon Imager is a highly capable and configurable system - hence the name - which draws heritage from both the space proven operational Gecko Imager plus the hardware developed by us for the Netherlands-China Low Frequency Explorer (NCLE) currently on board the Change’4 satellite orbiting the low gravity Second Earth-Moon Lagrange Point (E-M L2) some 60 - 80,000 kilometres beyond the moon,” says Duncan.
Duncan is no less proud of his team of satellite engineers and specialists which he describes as world-class with the ability to rapidly innovate, respond to client and technology changes and deliver quality operational systems within tight time frames. “The ability to put together a high performance spaceborne payload in less than 6 months, can be attributed to the honed skills of the SAC engineers comfortable with working on ambitious deadlines. Having tailored our systems engineering methodology with designed digital modular building blocks we are now flexible enough to adapt rapidly to evolutions in the small satellite industry,” says Kannas Wiid, product engineer of the Gecko Imager at Space Advisory Company.
The Gecko Imager won a prestigious innovation award at the 2017 Da Vinci Top Technology (TT100) Awards, South Africa's foremost technology innovation awards, with SAC being finalists in all of the qualifying categories and also a winner in the management of systems category. In addition, they were ranked in the Top 3 of the prestigious 2018 Innovation League Awards, for medium enterprises within South Africa.
The company’s first in-house spaceborne hyperspectral imager, initially developed with support from the Aerospace Industry Support Initiative (AISI), had been delivered to SCS-Space by SAC during 2017 for testing and calibration in SCS-Space’s recently commissioned facility. “A final and crucial link in the chain has been added by SCS-Space, this means that essential facilities required during design, development, integration and testing are available within the SCS Aerospace Group”, said Daniel van Niekerk, COO at Space Advisory Company. “Having the major critical components, supply chain and facilities locally within South Africa, ensures that we can deliver cutting edge technology, such as the Hyperspectral Chameleon Imager, to the local and international market”.
The company also states that the environmental constraints imposed on the in-house designed systems ensure that they will survive the harsh effects of vacuum, radiation, heat and vibration encountered en-route and in space. With an internal design philosophy focussed on modularity, quality, high-performance, volume constrained systems their products are also suitable to opportunities closer to Earth on High Altitude Aerial Platforms such as UAVs/Drones or basically any area where remote observation is required.
The company is part of the SCS Aerospace Group (SCSAG) of three which consists of Space Advisory Company (SAC)(www.spaceadvisory.com) providing innovative satellite programme and systems products, engineering consultancy and training solutions; SCS Space (www.scs-space.com) which provides satellite mission solutions as well as satellite systems; and NewSpace Systems (www.newspacesystems.com) which develops and manufactures high-quality space components and sub-systems. The group employs some 90 highly trained satellite specialists including electronic, systems, software and mechanical engineers.
Their next generation Chameleon Imager can be ordered either online at www.CubeSatShop.com or through direct enquiry at www.spaceadvisory.com where full specifications of the product are available.
End
Captions
SAC Chameleon Team
The main force behind the design and development of the Chameleon Hyperspectral Imager is from left Kannas Wiid (Digital Team Lead), Rikus Cronjé (Electro-Optical Systems Engineer) and Bryan Dean (Lead Systems Engineer).
SAC - Gecko – Vredefort
A photo taken by the Space Advisory Service Gecko Imager on board their nSight-1 Satellite from a height of 400km. This image depicts part of the Orange River and Vredefort Dome in South Africa which is the largest verified impact crater on Earth, some 190 kilometers across and also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
SAC - Chameleon – Scale
The scale of the Chameleon Hyperspectral Imager designed to fit into a standard CubeSat 2U frame.
SAC - Chameleon – Assembly
The Chameleon Hyperspectral Imager will realize a ground resolution of 10m over a swath of 32km wide from a distance of 500km. It is configured to store up to 160GB of memory at a time which can be regularly downloaded to Ground Stations on Earth.
This report was compiled by Anthony Penderis Media Services
Enquiries
Francois Denner (CEO:SCSAG) Duncan Stanton (CEO:SAC)
+27 (0) 21 300 0060 +27 (0) 82 964 8183
[email protected] [email protected]
Anthony Penderis
+27 (0) 84 306 0331
[email protected]
Media Release
28 May 2018
Beyond the moon – A South African Success Story in Outer Space
South African-developed space hardware forms a critical part of a unique science mission on a relay satellite, destined as a means of communications for an unprecedented Chinese lunar landing and rover operation on the far side of the moon later this year.
A digital controller unit designed and supplied by the Somerset West-based Space Advisory Company (SAC) is part of the Netherlands-China Low Frequency Explorer (NCLE) as a science payload on the Chang’e-4 satellite which lifted atop a Long March 4C Rocket from Xichang Satellite Launch Centre at 21:28 UTC on Sunday, May 21.
The Chang’e-4 satellite will take 8 to 9 days before it gets positioned some 60- 80,000 kilometres beyond the moon at a low gravity point the so-called Second Earth-Moon Lagrange Point (E-M L2). This point allows for a stable halo orbit and a simultaneous line of sight to the intended lunar lander with its operating rover and ground stations on Earth. While the Chang’e-4 satellite’s main mission is to relay messages between Earth and the Moon, the NCLE instrument will ride along and conduct experiments into deeper space.
“We are ecstatic to be part of such an unique mission and especially proud of our engineering team who proved themselves to be world-class by meeting the ambitious timeline and performance requirements of the project. We may just have embarked on proudly flying the South African flag the furthest ever,” says Duncan Stanton, CEO of Space Advisory Company (SAC).
“The controller unit supplied by us forms a critical part of the digital receiver system for the NCLE instrument. The instrument was built by the Radboud Radio Lab from the Radboud University, the Netherlands Institute for Radio Astronomy (ASTRON), and Innovative Solutions In Space (ISIS) in Delft. The instrument has a primary science objective to detect low frequency 21-cm hydrogen line emissions from the ‘dark ages’ period of the universe before stars began to shine,” says Stanton.
Space Advisory Company is a member of the Somerset West-based SCS Aerospace Group (SCSAG), Africa’s largest privately-owned group of satellite design and manufacturing companies with more than 25 years of experience in this domain.
End
Caption NCLE Receiver.jpg
The digital controller unit designed and supplied by Space Advisory Company integrated into Radboud Radio Labs NCLE Digital Receiver Instrument bound for an orbit beyond the moon.
Caption Duncan Stanton.jpg
Duncan Stanton CEO Space Advisory Company
Caption queqiao-diagram-cas.jpg
A diagram of the Queqiao Chang'e-4 relay satellite, with a parabolic antenna for communications, and three 5-metre monopole antennas for low frequency astronomy into deeper space. Image: Chinese Academy of Sciences
This report was compiled by Anthony Penderis Media Services
Enquiries
Francois Denner (CEO:SCSAG) Duncan Stanton (CEO:SAC)
+27 (0) 21 300 0060 +27 (0) 82 964 8183
[email protected] [email protected]
Anthony Penderis
+27 (0) 84 306 0331
[email protected]
28 May 2018
Beyond the moon – A South African Success Story in Outer Space
South African-developed space hardware forms a critical part of a unique science mission on a relay satellite, destined as a means of communications for an unprecedented Chinese lunar landing and rover operation on the far side of the moon later this year.
A digital controller unit designed and supplied by the Somerset West-based Space Advisory Company (SAC) is part of the Netherlands-China Low Frequency Explorer (NCLE) as a science payload on the Chang’e-4 satellite which lifted atop a Long March 4C Rocket from Xichang Satellite Launch Centre at 21:28 UTC on Sunday, May 21.
The Chang’e-4 satellite will take 8 to 9 days before it gets positioned some 60- 80,000 kilometres beyond the moon at a low gravity point the so-called Second Earth-Moon Lagrange Point (E-M L2). This point allows for a stable halo orbit and a simultaneous line of sight to the intended lunar lander with its operating rover and ground stations on Earth. While the Chang’e-4 satellite’s main mission is to relay messages between Earth and the Moon, the NCLE instrument will ride along and conduct experiments into deeper space.
“We are ecstatic to be part of such an unique mission and especially proud of our engineering team who proved themselves to be world-class by meeting the ambitious timeline and performance requirements of the project. We may just have embarked on proudly flying the South African flag the furthest ever,” says Duncan Stanton, CEO of Space Advisory Company (SAC).
“The controller unit supplied by us forms a critical part of the digital receiver system for the NCLE instrument. The instrument was built by the Radboud Radio Lab from the Radboud University, the Netherlands Institute for Radio Astronomy (ASTRON), and Innovative Solutions In Space (ISIS) in Delft. The instrument has a primary science objective to detect low frequency 21-cm hydrogen line emissions from the ‘dark ages’ period of the universe before stars began to shine,” says Stanton.
Space Advisory Company is a member of the Somerset West-based SCS Aerospace Group (SCSAG), Africa’s largest privately-owned group of satellite design and manufacturing companies with more than 25 years of experience in this domain.
End
Caption NCLE Receiver.jpg
The digital controller unit designed and supplied by Space Advisory Company integrated into Radboud Radio Labs NCLE Digital Receiver Instrument bound for an orbit beyond the moon.
Caption Duncan Stanton.jpg
Duncan Stanton CEO Space Advisory Company
Caption queqiao-diagram-cas.jpg
A diagram of the Queqiao Chang'e-4 relay satellite, with a parabolic antenna for communications, and three 5-metre monopole antennas for low frequency astronomy into deeper space. Image: Chinese Academy of Sciences
This report was compiled by Anthony Penderis Media Services
Enquiries
Francois Denner (CEO:SCSAG) Duncan Stanton (CEO:SAC)
+27 (0) 21 300 0060 +27 (0) 82 964 8183
[email protected] [email protected]
Anthony Penderis
+27 (0) 84 306 0331
[email protected]
Media Release
29 March 2018
South African satellite creates business for local industry
A South African manufactured nanosatellite orbiting Earth since May last year is doing so well that it has generated sales of some of its sub-systems on the international satellite market.
The satellite called nSight-1 is a product of the Somerset West-based SCS Aerospace Group (SCSAG), Africa’s largest privately-owned group of satellite design and manufacturing companies with more than 25 years of experience in this domain. It was launched from the International Space Station during May last year with 28 other satellites as part of the European Space Agency's QB50 project which collects research data from the earth’s lower thermosphere.
“We are delighted and extremely proud of the performance of our satellite nSight-1. It is in a stable and healthy state and the various on-board payloads are working well and have resulted in a number of major sub-systems sales to international clients,” says Francois Denner, Managing Director of the SCS Aerospace Group.
“The success of nSight-1 certainly strengthens our position to play a leading role in forging a new satellite business cluster in the South African economic sector. Our group now has the ability to manufacture up to 80% of small satellite components locally. We are proudly South African,” says Denner.
The three companies in the SCS Aerospace Group which are directly involved in providing commercial satellite solutions are Space Advisory Company (SAC) (www.spaceadvisory.com) their satellite programme and systems consulting and engineering house; SCS Space (www.scs-space.com) which provides satellite mission solutions as well as satellite systems; and NewSpace Systems (www.newspacesystems.com) which develops and manufactures high-quality space components and sub-systems. The group employs some 90 highly trained satellite specialists such as electronic, systems, software and mechanical engineers.
According to Hendrik Burger, CEO for SCS Space, the primary contractor for the nSight-1 nanosatellite, the Attitude Determination and Control System (ADCS) used on board is one of the most advanced used in a satellite this size. This is another South African product designed and manufactured by CubeSpace (www.cubespace.co.za). It has given the satellite a high degree of pointing accuracy to orientate in its orbit some 400km above Earth. They are now looking at extending the expected orbit lifetime of the satellite from 18 to 24 months due to its low drag, specific mass and orientation control.
The milestone achievements for their satellite so far are the following:
“The nSight-1 mission demonstrates the ability of the SCSAG to leverage the capabilities in the South African space industry cluster. Thank you to all the South African project partners including SCS Space, Space Advisory Company, NewSpace Systems, Pinkmatter Solutions, the Department of Trade and Industry, Stellenbosch University, CubeSpace, Denel Spaceteq, DeltaV Aerospace, Simera Technology Group, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University and the Amateur Radio Society, who made this possible,” Denner concluded.
Ends
Captions
Loskopdam.jpg
This picture of the Loskop Dam in the Olifants River about 230 kilometres east of Johannesburg was taken by the nSight-1 Gecko camera on 19 September 2017 from a height of 400 km. Centre point irrigation farms can be seen in the upper right corner of this two-image composite.
Gecko camera.jpg
SCS Gecko Multispectral Imager used on the nSight-1 satellite is seamlessly producing high-quality pictures of Earth from a height of about 400km. The Space Advisory Company was awarded with the “Best Innovation Concept for a Medium Enterprise” for this imager during the 2017 Da Vinci Top Technology (TT100) Awards, South Africa's foremost technology innovation awards.
nSight Satellite.jpg
The fully completed nSight1 satellite which has been orbiting Earth for almost a year now.
Francois Denner.jpg
Francois Denner, Managing Director of the SCS Aerospace Group, Africa’s largest privately owned group of satellite design and manufacturing companies.
Hendrik Burger & Lourens Visagie.jpg
Hendrik Burger, CEO for SCS Space, the primary contractor for the nSight-1 nanosatellite and Dr. Lourens Visagie the systems engineer of the project, with the completed nSight-1 satellite before it was launched in May last year.
This report was compiled by Anthony Penderis Media Services
Enquiries
Francois Denner Hendrik Burger
+27 (0) 21 300 0060 +27 (0) 84 306 0331
[email protected] [email protected]
Anthony Penderis
+27 (0) 84 306 0331
[email protected]
29 March 2018
South African satellite creates business for local industry
A South African manufactured nanosatellite orbiting Earth since May last year is doing so well that it has generated sales of some of its sub-systems on the international satellite market.
The satellite called nSight-1 is a product of the Somerset West-based SCS Aerospace Group (SCSAG), Africa’s largest privately-owned group of satellite design and manufacturing companies with more than 25 years of experience in this domain. It was launched from the International Space Station during May last year with 28 other satellites as part of the European Space Agency's QB50 project which collects research data from the earth’s lower thermosphere.
“We are delighted and extremely proud of the performance of our satellite nSight-1. It is in a stable and healthy state and the various on-board payloads are working well and have resulted in a number of major sub-systems sales to international clients,” says Francois Denner, Managing Director of the SCS Aerospace Group.
“The success of nSight-1 certainly strengthens our position to play a leading role in forging a new satellite business cluster in the South African economic sector. Our group now has the ability to manufacture up to 80% of small satellite components locally. We are proudly South African,” says Denner.
The three companies in the SCS Aerospace Group which are directly involved in providing commercial satellite solutions are Space Advisory Company (SAC) (www.spaceadvisory.com) their satellite programme and systems consulting and engineering house; SCS Space (www.scs-space.com) which provides satellite mission solutions as well as satellite systems; and NewSpace Systems (www.newspacesystems.com) which develops and manufactures high-quality space components and sub-systems. The group employs some 90 highly trained satellite specialists such as electronic, systems, software and mechanical engineers.
According to Hendrik Burger, CEO for SCS Space, the primary contractor for the nSight-1 nanosatellite, the Attitude Determination and Control System (ADCS) used on board is one of the most advanced used in a satellite this size. This is another South African product designed and manufactured by CubeSpace (www.cubespace.co.za). It has given the satellite a high degree of pointing accuracy to orientate in its orbit some 400km above Earth. They are now looking at extending the expected orbit lifetime of the satellite from 18 to 24 months due to its low drag, specific mass and orientation control.
The milestone achievements for their satellite so far are the following:
- Their primary science payload (FIPEX) to feed regular data for thermosphere analysis to the Von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics is working well by providing double the contracted data volume;
- The Gravity Wave Experiment is producing measurement data that is being processed by Mr. Philip Wagner (the South African creator of the experiment);
- Ongoing radiation impact detection results are being monitored by the Radiation Experiment and delivered to the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) for interpretation;
- Their SCS Gecko Multispectral Imager has been seamlessly producing high-quality pictures that are made freely available. The Space Advisory Company was awarded with the “Best Innovation Concept for a medium enterprise” award for the Gecko imager development during the 2017 Da Vinci Top Technology (TT100) Awards, South Africa's foremost technology innovation awards;
- The Grabouw-based ground station that controls the satellite is autonomously operating and will in the future form part of an international network of satellite ground stations servicing the ever-growing need by Lower Earth Orbit satellites.
“The nSight-1 mission demonstrates the ability of the SCSAG to leverage the capabilities in the South African space industry cluster. Thank you to all the South African project partners including SCS Space, Space Advisory Company, NewSpace Systems, Pinkmatter Solutions, the Department of Trade and Industry, Stellenbosch University, CubeSpace, Denel Spaceteq, DeltaV Aerospace, Simera Technology Group, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University and the Amateur Radio Society, who made this possible,” Denner concluded.
Ends
Captions
Loskopdam.jpg
This picture of the Loskop Dam in the Olifants River about 230 kilometres east of Johannesburg was taken by the nSight-1 Gecko camera on 19 September 2017 from a height of 400 km. Centre point irrigation farms can be seen in the upper right corner of this two-image composite.
Gecko camera.jpg
SCS Gecko Multispectral Imager used on the nSight-1 satellite is seamlessly producing high-quality pictures of Earth from a height of about 400km. The Space Advisory Company was awarded with the “Best Innovation Concept for a Medium Enterprise” for this imager during the 2017 Da Vinci Top Technology (TT100) Awards, South Africa's foremost technology innovation awards.
nSight Satellite.jpg
The fully completed nSight1 satellite which has been orbiting Earth for almost a year now.
Francois Denner.jpg
Francois Denner, Managing Director of the SCS Aerospace Group, Africa’s largest privately owned group of satellite design and manufacturing companies.
Hendrik Burger & Lourens Visagie.jpg
Hendrik Burger, CEO for SCS Space, the primary contractor for the nSight-1 nanosatellite and Dr. Lourens Visagie the systems engineer of the project, with the completed nSight-1 satellite before it was launched in May last year.
This report was compiled by Anthony Penderis Media Services
Enquiries
Francois Denner Hendrik Burger
+27 (0) 21 300 0060 +27 (0) 84 306 0331
[email protected] [email protected]
Anthony Penderis
+27 (0) 84 306 0331
[email protected]
Media Release: 15 January 2018
Stellenbosch University hosts iconic United Nations African satellite conference
By Anthony Penderis
Stellenbosch University played host to the United Nation’s first-ever symposium in Africa to focus on the continent’s satellite industry at the end of last year.
The 5-day symposium titled ‘Small satellite missions for scientific and technologic advancement’ attended by some 140 delegates from 33 countries was held from 11 to 15 December at the university’s Wallenberg Research and Conference Centre at Stias.
As Africa’s first-ever conference focussing exclusively on the small satellite industry it provided an ideal forum for exchanging ideas between the continent’s leading satellite manufacturers and the opportunity to engage with international satellite industry leaders. The fact that the United Nations chose South Africa to host the symposium is seen as recognition of the country’s leading role in the small satellite industry on the continent.
The symposium fittingly coincided with Stellenbosch University’s 25th anniversary of the start of the development of South Africa and Africa’s first home-grown satellite. This satellite called Sunsat was started in 1992 on their campus and launched in 1999 with the assistance of NASA. Equally fitting was the fact that Prof Herman Steyn, the now head of the university’s Satellite Engineering Research Group, and co-ordinator of this symposium also worked on the Sunsat project as a young engineer 25 years ago.
“We were especially pleased to have delegates at this symposium from all the Africa countries who developed their own satellites to date. Africa now boasts 8 spacefaring nations which are Egypt, Algeria, Morocco, Nigeria, Tunisia, Kenya, Ghana and of course South Africa,” says Prof. Steyn.
Ms Pontsho Maruping, chairperson of the South African Council of Space Affairs (SACSA) was equally delighted with the outcome of the event: “It is the first time an event of this nature took place on our continent. We appreciate the regional focus on Africa’s space industry. It gave Africa’s small sat space community a platform to collaborate and exchange ideas,” she said. SACSA operates under the Minister of Trade and Industry, exercises regulatory functions in the South African space industry including giving the Minister advice on all space-related matters.
In his wrap-up at the symposium of South Africa’s first 25 years in space, Dr. Sias Mostert, also a member of the original Sunsat team and nowadays Executive Chairman of the SCS Aerospace Group (SCSAG), pointed out that South Africa now has the ability to manufacture up to 80% of small satellite components locally. This was proven by SCSAG’s successfully operating nSight1 satellite recently launched from the International Space Station with 28 other satellites in the QB50 project co-ordinated by the European Space Agency.
Dr. Mostert also expressed his gratitude to the Stellenbosch University’s investment in satellite technology and manpower training 25 years ago which made the satellite industry in South Africa possible today.
Prof Steyn is confident that the symposium will lead to bigger co-operation between the African countries and also expressed the hope that it paves the way for a co-ordinated space program in South Africa ultimately driven by champions at the highest government levels.
The symposium was made possible through sponsorship by the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs, the South African Departments of Science and Technology (DST) and Trade and Industry (the dti), the South African National Space Agency (SANSA) and the European Space Agency (ESA).
Ends
Captions
Some of the delegates who attended the United Nations/South Africa Symposium on Basic Space Technology titled: ‘Small Satellite missions for scientific and technological advancement’ were:
1 Rei Kawashima (UNISEC-Global), Francois Denner (SCS Aerospace Group), Pontsho Maruping (South African Council of Space Affairs), Herman Steyn (Stellenbosch University), Sias Mostert (SCS Aerospace Group).
2 Humbulani Mudau (SA Dept of Science & Technology), Cyril Khuzwayo (Denel Spaceteq).
3 Francois Denner (SCS Aerospace Group), Cyril Khuzwayo (Denel Spaceteq), Sias Mostert (SCS Aerospace Group).
4 Turcia Busakwe (SCSAG/Space Advisory Company), Nomvula Tsatsi (SA Dept of Trade & Industry).
This report was compiled by freelance journalist Anthony Penderis.
Enquiries
Prof Herman Steyn Dr Sias Mostert . Anthony Penderis
+27 (0) 21 808 4926 +27 (0) 21 300 0060 +27 (0) 84 306 0331
[email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
Stellenbosch University hosts iconic United Nations African satellite conference
By Anthony Penderis
Stellenbosch University played host to the United Nation’s first-ever symposium in Africa to focus on the continent’s satellite industry at the end of last year.
The 5-day symposium titled ‘Small satellite missions for scientific and technologic advancement’ attended by some 140 delegates from 33 countries was held from 11 to 15 December at the university’s Wallenberg Research and Conference Centre at Stias.
As Africa’s first-ever conference focussing exclusively on the small satellite industry it provided an ideal forum for exchanging ideas between the continent’s leading satellite manufacturers and the opportunity to engage with international satellite industry leaders. The fact that the United Nations chose South Africa to host the symposium is seen as recognition of the country’s leading role in the small satellite industry on the continent.
The symposium fittingly coincided with Stellenbosch University’s 25th anniversary of the start of the development of South Africa and Africa’s first home-grown satellite. This satellite called Sunsat was started in 1992 on their campus and launched in 1999 with the assistance of NASA. Equally fitting was the fact that Prof Herman Steyn, the now head of the university’s Satellite Engineering Research Group, and co-ordinator of this symposium also worked on the Sunsat project as a young engineer 25 years ago.
“We were especially pleased to have delegates at this symposium from all the Africa countries who developed their own satellites to date. Africa now boasts 8 spacefaring nations which are Egypt, Algeria, Morocco, Nigeria, Tunisia, Kenya, Ghana and of course South Africa,” says Prof. Steyn.
Ms Pontsho Maruping, chairperson of the South African Council of Space Affairs (SACSA) was equally delighted with the outcome of the event: “It is the first time an event of this nature took place on our continent. We appreciate the regional focus on Africa’s space industry. It gave Africa’s small sat space community a platform to collaborate and exchange ideas,” she said. SACSA operates under the Minister of Trade and Industry, exercises regulatory functions in the South African space industry including giving the Minister advice on all space-related matters.
In his wrap-up at the symposium of South Africa’s first 25 years in space, Dr. Sias Mostert, also a member of the original Sunsat team and nowadays Executive Chairman of the SCS Aerospace Group (SCSAG), pointed out that South Africa now has the ability to manufacture up to 80% of small satellite components locally. This was proven by SCSAG’s successfully operating nSight1 satellite recently launched from the International Space Station with 28 other satellites in the QB50 project co-ordinated by the European Space Agency.
Dr. Mostert also expressed his gratitude to the Stellenbosch University’s investment in satellite technology and manpower training 25 years ago which made the satellite industry in South Africa possible today.
Prof Steyn is confident that the symposium will lead to bigger co-operation between the African countries and also expressed the hope that it paves the way for a co-ordinated space program in South Africa ultimately driven by champions at the highest government levels.
The symposium was made possible through sponsorship by the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs, the South African Departments of Science and Technology (DST) and Trade and Industry (the dti), the South African National Space Agency (SANSA) and the European Space Agency (ESA).
Ends
Captions
Some of the delegates who attended the United Nations/South Africa Symposium on Basic Space Technology titled: ‘Small Satellite missions for scientific and technological advancement’ were:
1 Rei Kawashima (UNISEC-Global), Francois Denner (SCS Aerospace Group), Pontsho Maruping (South African Council of Space Affairs), Herman Steyn (Stellenbosch University), Sias Mostert (SCS Aerospace Group).
2 Humbulani Mudau (SA Dept of Science & Technology), Cyril Khuzwayo (Denel Spaceteq).
3 Francois Denner (SCS Aerospace Group), Cyril Khuzwayo (Denel Spaceteq), Sias Mostert (SCS Aerospace Group).
4 Turcia Busakwe (SCSAG/Space Advisory Company), Nomvula Tsatsi (SA Dept of Trade & Industry).
This report was compiled by freelance journalist Anthony Penderis.
Enquiries
Prof Herman Steyn Dr Sias Mostert . Anthony Penderis
+27 (0) 21 808 4926 +27 (0) 21 300 0060 +27 (0) 84 306 0331
[email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
Media Release : 11 April 2017
International space project puts South Africa on the satellite industry map
The South African satellite industry is taking yet another step forward as a player in the international arena with the launch of two South African built nanosatellites from Cape Canaveral in Florida within the next few days.
Two nanosatellites, ‘nSight1’ designed and manufactured by Cape Town-based SCS Space, a member of the SCS Aerospace Group and ‘ZA-Aerosat’ designed and manufactured by CubeSpace of the Stellenbosch University, are to be launched as part of a batch totaling 28 nanosatellites from 23 different countries. The current information provided by ULA, the launch service provider, is that the Atlas V & Cygnus OA-7 launch is set for 18 April 2017 at 17:11 South African time (11:11am EDT), following a number of rescheduled events due to ground equipment readiness. Their initial destination is the International Space Station (ISS), where they will be unloaded by the ISS crew and transferred to deployers with the help of robotic arms. The satellites will eventually be deployed into low-earth orbit over a period of 30 to 60 days as the ISS orbits the Earth.
The SCS Space nSight1 satellite project is a joint investment by SCS Aerospace Group and Pinkmatter Solutions who supplied the ground segment software. The satellite was designed, integrated and tested by engineers from the Space Advisory Company and assembled in the clean room of NewSpace Systems, both part of the SCS Aerospace Group. A key part of the mission of the satellite is to allow for the testing of the newly developed SCS Gecko Imager as well as Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University's patented Radiation Mitigation VHDL Coding Technique.
The satellites are part of the QB50 project funded by the European Union and managed by the von Karman Institute to conduct research in the lower thermosphere between 200km to 380km altitude. The data collected from this experiment over a period of 18 months will be used to complement current atmospheric models especially applicable to reentry trajectories of spacecraft. All the nanosatellites will eventually burn up at the end of their operational lifetimes.
“We are proud to be a part of an international space project of this magnitude. It affords us the opportunity to test the next generation space camera technology which was uniquely developed by SCS Space and partners within industry development initiatives of the South African Department of Trade and Industry,” says Hendrik Burger, CEO for SCS Space, the primary contractor for the nSight1 nanosatellite.
“We are also looking forward to the next stage of this project which encompasses operational aspects such as mission control and processing the data received from our satellite. This will be done through our Houwteq Ground Station near Grabouw in the Western Cape,” says Burger.
SCS Space is a subsidiary of the SCS Aerospace Group, Africa’s largest privately owned satellite concern. Other participants in the project are Pinkmatter Solutions, Space Advisory Company, NewSpace Systems, Stellenbosch University, CubeSpace, Simera Technology Group, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University and the Amateur Radio Society.
End
Photo Captions
SCS Space One.jpg
The nSight1 nanosatellite is one of the two South African built satellites which will be deployed from the International Space station within the next two months as part of the European Union QB50 project. The project comprises a total of 28 satellites from 23 different countries which will be used to conduct research in the lower thermosphere to apply to current atmospheric models especially applicable to the reentry trajectory of spacecraft. From left are Dr Sias Mostert, Chairman of the SCS Aerospace Group (www.scsgroup.com), the company that invested in the project, Hendrik Burger, CEO of SCS Space (www.scs-space.com), Chris Böhme and Sonja Goosen both form Pinkmatter Solutions (www.pinkmatter.com) who co-invested in the project and supplies ground segment software for the satellite.
SCS Space Two.jpg
This 2.5 kg nanosatellite was produced within 6 months by SCS Space a subsidiary of the SCS Aerospace Group, Africa's largest private space company. The satellite is due for a launch soon from Cape Canaveral in Florida to dock at the International Space Station from where it will be deployed with 28 other satellites as part of the European Space Agency's QB50 project to study the earth's upper atmosphere. During its flight it will also test the newly developed SCS Gecko Imager as well as Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University's patented Radiation Mitigation VHDL Coding Technique.
SCS Space Three.jpg
A satellite in the process of being deployed from the International Space Station. The 28 satellites which forms part of the European Union’s QB50 project will all be deployed in this manner over a period of 30 to 60 days while the ISS orbits Earth. Image: NASA
For more information, contact
Lecia Chidrawi
Group Marketing Manager for the SCS Aerospace Group of companies:
www.scshgroup.com
E: [email protected]
T: +27 21 300 0060
F: +27 21 300 0064
International space project puts South Africa on the satellite industry map
The South African satellite industry is taking yet another step forward as a player in the international arena with the launch of two South African built nanosatellites from Cape Canaveral in Florida within the next few days.
Two nanosatellites, ‘nSight1’ designed and manufactured by Cape Town-based SCS Space, a member of the SCS Aerospace Group and ‘ZA-Aerosat’ designed and manufactured by CubeSpace of the Stellenbosch University, are to be launched as part of a batch totaling 28 nanosatellites from 23 different countries. The current information provided by ULA, the launch service provider, is that the Atlas V & Cygnus OA-7 launch is set for 18 April 2017 at 17:11 South African time (11:11am EDT), following a number of rescheduled events due to ground equipment readiness. Their initial destination is the International Space Station (ISS), where they will be unloaded by the ISS crew and transferred to deployers with the help of robotic arms. The satellites will eventually be deployed into low-earth orbit over a period of 30 to 60 days as the ISS orbits the Earth.
The SCS Space nSight1 satellite project is a joint investment by SCS Aerospace Group and Pinkmatter Solutions who supplied the ground segment software. The satellite was designed, integrated and tested by engineers from the Space Advisory Company and assembled in the clean room of NewSpace Systems, both part of the SCS Aerospace Group. A key part of the mission of the satellite is to allow for the testing of the newly developed SCS Gecko Imager as well as Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University's patented Radiation Mitigation VHDL Coding Technique.
The satellites are part of the QB50 project funded by the European Union and managed by the von Karman Institute to conduct research in the lower thermosphere between 200km to 380km altitude. The data collected from this experiment over a period of 18 months will be used to complement current atmospheric models especially applicable to reentry trajectories of spacecraft. All the nanosatellites will eventually burn up at the end of their operational lifetimes.
“We are proud to be a part of an international space project of this magnitude. It affords us the opportunity to test the next generation space camera technology which was uniquely developed by SCS Space and partners within industry development initiatives of the South African Department of Trade and Industry,” says Hendrik Burger, CEO for SCS Space, the primary contractor for the nSight1 nanosatellite.
“We are also looking forward to the next stage of this project which encompasses operational aspects such as mission control and processing the data received from our satellite. This will be done through our Houwteq Ground Station near Grabouw in the Western Cape,” says Burger.
SCS Space is a subsidiary of the SCS Aerospace Group, Africa’s largest privately owned satellite concern. Other participants in the project are Pinkmatter Solutions, Space Advisory Company, NewSpace Systems, Stellenbosch University, CubeSpace, Simera Technology Group, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University and the Amateur Radio Society.
End
Photo Captions
SCS Space One.jpg
The nSight1 nanosatellite is one of the two South African built satellites which will be deployed from the International Space station within the next two months as part of the European Union QB50 project. The project comprises a total of 28 satellites from 23 different countries which will be used to conduct research in the lower thermosphere to apply to current atmospheric models especially applicable to the reentry trajectory of spacecraft. From left are Dr Sias Mostert, Chairman of the SCS Aerospace Group (www.scsgroup.com), the company that invested in the project, Hendrik Burger, CEO of SCS Space (www.scs-space.com), Chris Böhme and Sonja Goosen both form Pinkmatter Solutions (www.pinkmatter.com) who co-invested in the project and supplies ground segment software for the satellite.
SCS Space Two.jpg
This 2.5 kg nanosatellite was produced within 6 months by SCS Space a subsidiary of the SCS Aerospace Group, Africa's largest private space company. The satellite is due for a launch soon from Cape Canaveral in Florida to dock at the International Space Station from where it will be deployed with 28 other satellites as part of the European Space Agency's QB50 project to study the earth's upper atmosphere. During its flight it will also test the newly developed SCS Gecko Imager as well as Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University's patented Radiation Mitigation VHDL Coding Technique.
SCS Space Three.jpg
A satellite in the process of being deployed from the International Space Station. The 28 satellites which forms part of the European Union’s QB50 project will all be deployed in this manner over a period of 30 to 60 days while the ISS orbits Earth. Image: NASA
For more information, contact
Lecia Chidrawi
Group Marketing Manager for the SCS Aerospace Group of companies:
www.scshgroup.com
E: [email protected]
T: +27 21 300 0060
F: +27 21 300 0064
Media Release: 7 November 2016
South African satellite to take part in international space project
A nanosatellite designed and built in South Africa will be launched early next year from the International Space Station as part of a European Commission research project.
Managed by SCS Aerospace Group, South Africa’s biggest private satellite concern it will be launched from the space station during the first quarter of next year together with 40 satellites from other countries as part of the European Commission’s QB50 project. These satellites are to conduct atmospheric research in the lower thermosphere between 200km to 380km altitude. The data collected from this experiment over a period of 18 months will be used to complement current atmospheric models used by operators in the space industry.
“We are proud not only to be part of the QB50 project, but especially of the fact that it presents the opportunity to showcase South Africa’s ability in the space industry. Almost all the systems and components on this satellite were manufactured and assembled within six months with South African partners,” says Dr. Sias Mostert, Chairman of the SCS Aerospace Group.
“Although one of our subsidiary companies SCS Space is the prime contractor for the satellite, it offers a platform for showcasing the space technology abilities of all the other SA stakeholders who made this project possible. Participants in the project are the Space Advisory Company, Stellenbosch University, CubeSpace, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, Pinkmatter Solutions, the Amateur Radio Society and NewSpace Systems,” says Dr. Mostert.
Apart from conducting the European Commission’s lower thermosphere experiments the nanosatellite called nSight1 and weighing some 2.5 kg will during its 6 to 18 months’ flight also test the company's newly developedSCS Gecko Imager as well as Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University's patented 'Radiation Mitigation VHDL Coding Technique'.
“The mission is a joint investment by SCS Aerospace Group and Pinkmatter Solutions and forms part of a line of satellites to establish space heritage for a new generation of high performance remote sensing cameras. The camera technology being tested on the nSight1 nanosatellite was developed with initial support from the South African Department of Trade and Industry’s AISI program,” says Dr. Mostert.
The satellite was designed, integrated and tested by engineers from the Space Advisory Company (SAC), another member of SCS Aerospace Group. SAC is a satellite systems engineering company with thousands of man-hour practical satellite engineering experience in the global satellite market. Design and engineering were contributed to nSight1 in the focus areas of structural, thermal, optical and digital engineering, power systems, communication systems, software, attitude control systems and system engineering.
The satellite was assembled in the clean room of NewSpace Systems, a South African spacecraft component manufacturer. NewSpace Systems employs only European Space Agency (ESA) certified technicians in their ISO 7 class clean room, a unique facility on the African continent. "As a producer of new generation satellite ground segment software, Pinkmatter primarily serves the international satellite market. As a South African company, we are stronger by working together to provide more value to continue our success story in the international market. We are proud to have co-funded the nSignt1 mission, the first private South African satellite and thank all the engineers for the many days and nights of excellent work," says Chris Böhme, the CEO of Pinkmatter Solutions.
Ends
Captions
nSight1 One
The core team that built SCS Aerospace Group's nSight1 nanosatellite in a record time of 6 months are at the front from left to right: Louis Muller, Dr. Francois Malan, Kannas Wiid, Rikus Cronje, Hendrik Burger; in the middle David Brill; and at the back Heinrich Fuchs, Premie Pillay, Philip Bellsted, Dr Lourens Visagie, Kevin Gema and Marcello Bartolini.
nSight1 Two
nSight1 the South African satellite ready for shipment and its ultimate launch from the International Space Station early next year. From left are Dr Sias Mostert, Chairman of the SCS Aerospace Group, the company that drives the project, Hendrik Burger, CEO of SCS Space, Chris Böhme and Sonja Goosen both form Pinkmatter Solutions (www.pinkmatter.com).
nSight1 Three
The nSight1, a 2.5 kg nanosatellite produced within 6 months by SCS Space and Space Advisory Company, members of the SCS Aerospace Group, South Africa's largest private space company. The satellite is due for a launch as one of 40 other satellites from the International Space Station early next year as part of the European Space Agency's QB50 project to study the earth's upper atmosphere. During its flight it will also test the company's newly developed SCS Gecko Imager as well as Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University's patented 'Radiation Mitigation VHDL Coding Technique'.
For more information, contact
Lecia Chidrawi: SCS Aerospace Group Marketing Manager
www.scshgroup.com
E: [email protected]
T: +27 21 300 0060
F: +27 21 300 0064
Anthony Penderis, Media Liaison SCS Aerospace Group, compiled this report.
Enquiries: [email protected]; +27 84 306 0331
South African satellite to take part in international space project
A nanosatellite designed and built in South Africa will be launched early next year from the International Space Station as part of a European Commission research project.
Managed by SCS Aerospace Group, South Africa’s biggest private satellite concern it will be launched from the space station during the first quarter of next year together with 40 satellites from other countries as part of the European Commission’s QB50 project. These satellites are to conduct atmospheric research in the lower thermosphere between 200km to 380km altitude. The data collected from this experiment over a period of 18 months will be used to complement current atmospheric models used by operators in the space industry.
“We are proud not only to be part of the QB50 project, but especially of the fact that it presents the opportunity to showcase South Africa’s ability in the space industry. Almost all the systems and components on this satellite were manufactured and assembled within six months with South African partners,” says Dr. Sias Mostert, Chairman of the SCS Aerospace Group.
“Although one of our subsidiary companies SCS Space is the prime contractor for the satellite, it offers a platform for showcasing the space technology abilities of all the other SA stakeholders who made this project possible. Participants in the project are the Space Advisory Company, Stellenbosch University, CubeSpace, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, Pinkmatter Solutions, the Amateur Radio Society and NewSpace Systems,” says Dr. Mostert.
Apart from conducting the European Commission’s lower thermosphere experiments the nanosatellite called nSight1 and weighing some 2.5 kg will during its 6 to 18 months’ flight also test the company's newly developedSCS Gecko Imager as well as Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University's patented 'Radiation Mitigation VHDL Coding Technique'.
“The mission is a joint investment by SCS Aerospace Group and Pinkmatter Solutions and forms part of a line of satellites to establish space heritage for a new generation of high performance remote sensing cameras. The camera technology being tested on the nSight1 nanosatellite was developed with initial support from the South African Department of Trade and Industry’s AISI program,” says Dr. Mostert.
The satellite was designed, integrated and tested by engineers from the Space Advisory Company (SAC), another member of SCS Aerospace Group. SAC is a satellite systems engineering company with thousands of man-hour practical satellite engineering experience in the global satellite market. Design and engineering were contributed to nSight1 in the focus areas of structural, thermal, optical and digital engineering, power systems, communication systems, software, attitude control systems and system engineering.
The satellite was assembled in the clean room of NewSpace Systems, a South African spacecraft component manufacturer. NewSpace Systems employs only European Space Agency (ESA) certified technicians in their ISO 7 class clean room, a unique facility on the African continent. "As a producer of new generation satellite ground segment software, Pinkmatter primarily serves the international satellite market. As a South African company, we are stronger by working together to provide more value to continue our success story in the international market. We are proud to have co-funded the nSignt1 mission, the first private South African satellite and thank all the engineers for the many days and nights of excellent work," says Chris Böhme, the CEO of Pinkmatter Solutions.
Ends
Captions
nSight1 One
The core team that built SCS Aerospace Group's nSight1 nanosatellite in a record time of 6 months are at the front from left to right: Louis Muller, Dr. Francois Malan, Kannas Wiid, Rikus Cronje, Hendrik Burger; in the middle David Brill; and at the back Heinrich Fuchs, Premie Pillay, Philip Bellsted, Dr Lourens Visagie, Kevin Gema and Marcello Bartolini.
nSight1 Two
nSight1 the South African satellite ready for shipment and its ultimate launch from the International Space Station early next year. From left are Dr Sias Mostert, Chairman of the SCS Aerospace Group, the company that drives the project, Hendrik Burger, CEO of SCS Space, Chris Böhme and Sonja Goosen both form Pinkmatter Solutions (www.pinkmatter.com).
nSight1 Three
The nSight1, a 2.5 kg nanosatellite produced within 6 months by SCS Space and Space Advisory Company, members of the SCS Aerospace Group, South Africa's largest private space company. The satellite is due for a launch as one of 40 other satellites from the International Space Station early next year as part of the European Space Agency's QB50 project to study the earth's upper atmosphere. During its flight it will also test the company's newly developed SCS Gecko Imager as well as Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University's patented 'Radiation Mitigation VHDL Coding Technique'.
For more information, contact
Lecia Chidrawi: SCS Aerospace Group Marketing Manager
www.scshgroup.com
E: [email protected]
T: +27 21 300 0060
F: +27 21 300 0064
Anthony Penderis, Media Liaison SCS Aerospace Group, compiled this report.
Enquiries: [email protected]; +27 84 306 0331
Media Release: 23 September 2016
South African space industry well presented at 67th International Astronautical Congress in Mexico
South Africa's growing space industry offerings will be prominently on display next week in Guadalajara, Mexico at the 67th International Astronautical Congress (IAC) touted as the world’s largest international gathering for players big and small in the space sector.
The South African Department of Trade and Industry stand leads the way to host several co-exhibitors such as the South African Department of Science and Technology, the South African National Space Agency (SANSA), the Cape Town University of Technology (CPUT), Spaceteq, NewSpace Systems and the SCS Aerospace Group.
"Our new products and technical abilities to be showcased in Guadalajara next week are well aligned with the IAC 2016 theme: Making Space Accessible and Affordable to all Countries," says Dr. Sias Mostert Executive Chairman of the SCS Aerospace Group, South Africa’s biggest private satellite engineering company.
“We will focus on our small satellite capability at the expo demonstrating our latest products such as the SCS100, an affordable new lightweight high-performance satellite, and the Phoenix 20 satellite constellation range which extensively uses off-the-shelf affordable NanoSat technology. Both systems can provide near-continuous coverage applied in inter alia disaster management, city planning, border surveys, and maritime assets and infrastructure monitoring.
"Part of our mission is to make this unique satellite capability available to countries with an emerging space program. Developing countries face similar challenges as we do in South Africa with need for increased science and mathematics human capital, vast spaces and limited infrastructure that small satellite programs with high-resolution remote sensing and access to communication can address," says Dr. Mostert.
SCS system engineer, Bryan Dean, will present a paper at the congress with the title Videosat – A continuous observation constellation co-authored by system engineers Bryan Dean, Dr. Lourens Visagie, and Martin Jacobs. The paper describes a small satellite constellation called VideoSat. The constellation is suitable for near-continuous daytime observation of any sub-polar region with a limited number of launches and affordable program cost. See more about the group atwww.scshgroup.com.
NewSpace Systems is the satellite component manufacturer jointly held between SCS Aerospace Group and a number of independent UK investors. They will display a wide range of their SmallSat and CubeSat attitude control components at IAC. The company employs European Space Agency (ESA) certified technicians in their ISO 7 class Clean Room, a unique capability for the space business on the African continent. For more information, please visit www.newspacesystems.com.
South Africa’s satellite experts will be rubbing shoulders at IAC with major and established international players presenting new innovations for the space industry. SpaceX’s Elon Musk is expected to unveil his Mars – and perhaps beyond – exploration plans and mission architecture for anew heavy-lift launch vehicle next week at the IAC.
Some 3,000 delegates are expected to attend the 67th IAC congress from 26 – 30 September in the city of Guadaljara, the Silicon Valley and cultural heart of Mexico. This annual congress was created by the International Astronautical Federation one of the largest networks of space experts and decision-makers in the world. More information about the congress can be found atwww.iac2016.org.
Ends
Captions
Image One
Bryan Dean, systems engineer and Dr. Sias Mostert, Executive Chairman of SCS Aerospace Group show off some of their satellite component models to be displayed and demonstrated at the International Astronautical Congress in Guadalajara, Mexico from 26 – 30 September.
Image Two
A model of the South African Department of Trade and Industry stand at the International Astronautical Congress. This will be shared with co-exhibitors such as SCS Aerospace Group (SCS AG), the South African Department of Science and Technology, the South African National Space Agency (SANSA), the Cape Town University of Technology (CPUT), Spaceteq and NewSpace Systems.
Image Three
Artist’s impression of the SCS Aerospace Group’s Phoenix 20 satellite, which will extensively use off-the-shelf affordable NanoSat technology. It will serve as a platform for hyperspectral imaging using advanced optics, detectors, spectral filter technology and high-speed data capturing. For more, please visit www.scs-space.com/#products.
Image Four
The NewSpace Dark Room, which contains an artificial sun for the testing of their Fine Sun Sensors forms part of the NewSpace ISO-7 certified (Class 10 000) Clean Room.
Image Five
NewSpace Systems is a progressive employer with more than 50% of its employees meeting the South African national transformation agenda.
For more information contact:
Lecia Chidrawi: SCS Aerospace Group Marketing Manager
www.scshgroup.com
E: [email protected]
T: +27 21 300 0060
F: +27 21 300 0064
Anthony Penderis, Media Liaison SCS Aerospace Group, compiled this report.
Enquiries: [email protected]; +27 84 306 0331
South African space industry well presented at 67th International Astronautical Congress in Mexico
South Africa's growing space industry offerings will be prominently on display next week in Guadalajara, Mexico at the 67th International Astronautical Congress (IAC) touted as the world’s largest international gathering for players big and small in the space sector.
The South African Department of Trade and Industry stand leads the way to host several co-exhibitors such as the South African Department of Science and Technology, the South African National Space Agency (SANSA), the Cape Town University of Technology (CPUT), Spaceteq, NewSpace Systems and the SCS Aerospace Group.
"Our new products and technical abilities to be showcased in Guadalajara next week are well aligned with the IAC 2016 theme: Making Space Accessible and Affordable to all Countries," says Dr. Sias Mostert Executive Chairman of the SCS Aerospace Group, South Africa’s biggest private satellite engineering company.
“We will focus on our small satellite capability at the expo demonstrating our latest products such as the SCS100, an affordable new lightweight high-performance satellite, and the Phoenix 20 satellite constellation range which extensively uses off-the-shelf affordable NanoSat technology. Both systems can provide near-continuous coverage applied in inter alia disaster management, city planning, border surveys, and maritime assets and infrastructure monitoring.
"Part of our mission is to make this unique satellite capability available to countries with an emerging space program. Developing countries face similar challenges as we do in South Africa with need for increased science and mathematics human capital, vast spaces and limited infrastructure that small satellite programs with high-resolution remote sensing and access to communication can address," says Dr. Mostert.
SCS system engineer, Bryan Dean, will present a paper at the congress with the title Videosat – A continuous observation constellation co-authored by system engineers Bryan Dean, Dr. Lourens Visagie, and Martin Jacobs. The paper describes a small satellite constellation called VideoSat. The constellation is suitable for near-continuous daytime observation of any sub-polar region with a limited number of launches and affordable program cost. See more about the group atwww.scshgroup.com.
NewSpace Systems is the satellite component manufacturer jointly held between SCS Aerospace Group and a number of independent UK investors. They will display a wide range of their SmallSat and CubeSat attitude control components at IAC. The company employs European Space Agency (ESA) certified technicians in their ISO 7 class Clean Room, a unique capability for the space business on the African continent. For more information, please visit www.newspacesystems.com.
South Africa’s satellite experts will be rubbing shoulders at IAC with major and established international players presenting new innovations for the space industry. SpaceX’s Elon Musk is expected to unveil his Mars – and perhaps beyond – exploration plans and mission architecture for anew heavy-lift launch vehicle next week at the IAC.
Some 3,000 delegates are expected to attend the 67th IAC congress from 26 – 30 September in the city of Guadaljara, the Silicon Valley and cultural heart of Mexico. This annual congress was created by the International Astronautical Federation one of the largest networks of space experts and decision-makers in the world. More information about the congress can be found atwww.iac2016.org.
Ends
Captions
Image One
Bryan Dean, systems engineer and Dr. Sias Mostert, Executive Chairman of SCS Aerospace Group show off some of their satellite component models to be displayed and demonstrated at the International Astronautical Congress in Guadalajara, Mexico from 26 – 30 September.
Image Two
A model of the South African Department of Trade and Industry stand at the International Astronautical Congress. This will be shared with co-exhibitors such as SCS Aerospace Group (SCS AG), the South African Department of Science and Technology, the South African National Space Agency (SANSA), the Cape Town University of Technology (CPUT), Spaceteq and NewSpace Systems.
Image Three
Artist’s impression of the SCS Aerospace Group’s Phoenix 20 satellite, which will extensively use off-the-shelf affordable NanoSat technology. It will serve as a platform for hyperspectral imaging using advanced optics, detectors, spectral filter technology and high-speed data capturing. For more, please visit www.scs-space.com/#products.
Image Four
The NewSpace Dark Room, which contains an artificial sun for the testing of their Fine Sun Sensors forms part of the NewSpace ISO-7 certified (Class 10 000) Clean Room.
Image Five
NewSpace Systems is a progressive employer with more than 50% of its employees meeting the South African national transformation agenda.
For more information contact:
Lecia Chidrawi: SCS Aerospace Group Marketing Manager
www.scshgroup.com
E: [email protected]
T: +27 21 300 0060
F: +27 21 300 0064
Anthony Penderis, Media Liaison SCS Aerospace Group, compiled this report.
Enquiries: [email protected]; +27 84 306 0331
Media Release - 15 September 2016
Innovative Space Technology on show at Africa Aerospace and Defence Expo
The innovative use of space technology by a Cape Town-based space engineering company is currently on display at the biannual Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) expo held in Pretoria this week.
SCS Aerospace Group, South Africa’s biggest private satellite concern, is showcasing a number of new home-grown satellite products at AAD which runs until the end of this week. The products includes the new lightweight high-performance satellite, the SCS150, designed for global environmental and infrastructure monitoring as well as a mission overview of a privately funded technology demonstration satellite destined to do various scientific experiments and test some of their new advanced electronics in space.
“We will be testing the technology of our newly developed SCS Gecko, an ultra-compact imager specially developed for the small satellite market plus do some radiation tests on reprogrammable electronics on South Africa's first privately funded small satellite due for an early2017 launch,” said Dr. Sias Mostert, Chairman of SCS Aerospace Group.
“The satellite will also do a number of important experiments as part of a contribution to the QB50 international science mission. This includes measuring atomic oxygen flux in Earth’s lower atmosphere which is a crucial parameter in the correlation and validation of atmospheric models.
“The radiation experiments are done in conjunction with the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University to test radiation hardening of reprogrammable electronics in space using proprietary and patented IP developed by them,” says Dr. Mostert.
The company also seems particularly pleased with their other innovation, the SCS150, capable of providing 0.9 m resolution persistent video and 3.6 m resolution multispectral imaging. Its unique configuration makes it possible to be launched as part of a multi-satellite constellationthat can be launched into orbit on a single small to medium class launch vehicle. It was developed to form part of a set of Earth observation satellites that can provide near-continuous coverage applied in disaster management, city planning, border monitoring, maritime assets and infrastructure monitoring.
After the current AAD expo the company products will go on display at the International Astronautical Congress in Gaudalajara, Mexico from 26 to 30 September as part of their mission to expand their presence in the global small satellite market. For more information on the SCS Aerospace Group, please visit www.scshgroup.com.
End
Caption Turcia Busakwe.jpg
Turcia Busakwe, Product Manager Ground Station Solutions of the SCS Aerospace Group at the AAD Expo stand in Pretoria, South Africa this week.
For more information contact
Lecia Chidrawi
SCS Aerospace Group Marketing Manager
www.scshgroup.com
E: [email protected]
T: +27 21 300 0060
F: +27 21 300 0064
Anthony Penderis, Media Liaison SCS Aerospace Group, compiled this report.
Enquiries: [email protected]; +27 84 306 0331
Innovative Space Technology on show at Africa Aerospace and Defence Expo
The innovative use of space technology by a Cape Town-based space engineering company is currently on display at the biannual Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) expo held in Pretoria this week.
SCS Aerospace Group, South Africa’s biggest private satellite concern, is showcasing a number of new home-grown satellite products at AAD which runs until the end of this week. The products includes the new lightweight high-performance satellite, the SCS150, designed for global environmental and infrastructure monitoring as well as a mission overview of a privately funded technology demonstration satellite destined to do various scientific experiments and test some of their new advanced electronics in space.
“We will be testing the technology of our newly developed SCS Gecko, an ultra-compact imager specially developed for the small satellite market plus do some radiation tests on reprogrammable electronics on South Africa's first privately funded small satellite due for an early2017 launch,” said Dr. Sias Mostert, Chairman of SCS Aerospace Group.
“The satellite will also do a number of important experiments as part of a contribution to the QB50 international science mission. This includes measuring atomic oxygen flux in Earth’s lower atmosphere which is a crucial parameter in the correlation and validation of atmospheric models.
“The radiation experiments are done in conjunction with the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University to test radiation hardening of reprogrammable electronics in space using proprietary and patented IP developed by them,” says Dr. Mostert.
The company also seems particularly pleased with their other innovation, the SCS150, capable of providing 0.9 m resolution persistent video and 3.6 m resolution multispectral imaging. Its unique configuration makes it possible to be launched as part of a multi-satellite constellationthat can be launched into orbit on a single small to medium class launch vehicle. It was developed to form part of a set of Earth observation satellites that can provide near-continuous coverage applied in disaster management, city planning, border monitoring, maritime assets and infrastructure monitoring.
After the current AAD expo the company products will go on display at the International Astronautical Congress in Gaudalajara, Mexico from 26 to 30 September as part of their mission to expand their presence in the global small satellite market. For more information on the SCS Aerospace Group, please visit www.scshgroup.com.
End
Caption Turcia Busakwe.jpg
Turcia Busakwe, Product Manager Ground Station Solutions of the SCS Aerospace Group at the AAD Expo stand in Pretoria, South Africa this week.
For more information contact
Lecia Chidrawi
SCS Aerospace Group Marketing Manager
www.scshgroup.com
E: [email protected]
T: +27 21 300 0060
F: +27 21 300 0064
Anthony Penderis, Media Liaison SCS Aerospace Group, compiled this report.
Enquiries: [email protected]; +27 84 306 0331
Media Release - 13 June 2016
African capability gets recognition in small satellite world market
A South African small satellite component manufacturer just improved its standing and export capabilities to world markets in a pact signed with a USA counterpart.
Newspace Systems Pty LTD from Cape Town, South Africa signed up with Oakman Aerospace, Inc. from Colorado, USA at the 4S Symposium for small Earth observations satellites held in Malta earlier this month in a deal which they believe will give them a competitive edge in the small satellite market.
“This pact is not only about extending our business and increasing exports for our country but also recognition of African capability in the sophisticated high-tech small satellite market,” says James Barrington-Brown, CEO of NewSpace Systems (NSS), which has already secured some 30 contracts from 11 different countries.
Both companies are specialists in various fields of the small satellite industry and the partnership will enable themto establish a unique technical platform for inter alia the manufacture and operation of small satellites with interchangeable modular components sourced from different suppliers. This will help to extend a satellite's service lifetime and ultimately reduce costs.
Their products will be available to government, commercial, and academic customers across the globe. Their first MoU now paves the way for a Master Service Agreement after which they will pursue a Technical Assistance Agreement through the United States Department of State Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC).
Stanley Kennedy, President and Chief Systems Engineer for Oakman Aerospace, Inc (OAI), commented on the MoU with the following: “Oakman Aerospace is very excited for this opportunity to work with NewSpace Systems in developing and advancing modular, open-systems architecture and leveraging the competitive advantage this agreement brings to the United States and world markets. OAI and NSS look forward to providing the best possible engineering products and services for their academic, government, and industry partners.”
James Barrington-Brown, CEO added: “With NewSpace’s market leading product solutions for the Smallsat market, widely recognized through a multitude of international sales, it is a logical next step to focus more directly on the most significant Smallsat community, which is in the USA. Given their similarities in size, experience and strategic outlook, OAI makes the perfect partner for our next stage of company investment and growth.”
Oakman Aerospace, Inc. is a veteran, woman-owned business focused on space mission engineering and simulation; mission analysis; orbit design and orbit constellation design; spacecraft design, analysis and simulation;payload design and analysis; and flight software development.
NewSpace Systems, which has it main facility in South Africa and a subsidiary in the UK, has as shareholders Space Commercial Services Aerospace Group, South Africa's biggest private satellite company as well as a Dutch investor
NewSpace Systems operates its own European Space Agency standard Clean Room facility, which is the only one in Africa. Some of their flagship products secured in over 30 contracts from 11 countries world-wide includeinter alia a Fine-Sun Sensor for NASA's iSat test for interplanetary propulsion, a Magnetotorquer for a Swedish scientific mission and a high altitude GPS system, developed in conjunction with the University of Stellenbosch, which determines the positions of satellites in space.
Please see www.newspacesystems.com and www.oak-aero.com for more information.
end
Caption IMG 2564.jpg
Stanley Kennedy, President of Oakman Aerospace, Maureen S. O’Brien Chief Executive Officer at Oakman Aerospace and James Barrington-Brown, CEO of NewSpace Systems, at the signing of their MoU in Malta earlier this month at the 4S Symposium 2016: The Symposium on Small Satellites for Earth Observation and The Small Satellites Conference.
Caption NewSpace Clean Room.jpg
The NewSpace Clean Room is the only one in Africa, which adheres to European Space Agency standards. It is a highly sophisticated environment where all soldering and other processes are done under the microscope. An in-house qualified accredited trainer gets personnel up to the required standards.
Caption IMG 2529.jpg
A display of some satellite components manufactured by NewSpace Systems. Some of their recent flagship products include a Fine-Sun Sensor for NASA's iSat test for interplanetary propulsion, a Magnetotorquer for a Swedish scientific mission and a high altitude GPS system, which determines the positions of satellites in space.
For more information:
NewSpace Systems Pty Ltd
James Barrington Brown, CEO
+27 21 300 0160
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.newspacesystems.com
Oakman Aerospace, Inc.
Stanley Kennedy, President/CSE
+1 303-904-6060
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.oak-aero.com
This report was compiled by Anthony Penderis
African capability gets recognition in small satellite world market
A South African small satellite component manufacturer just improved its standing and export capabilities to world markets in a pact signed with a USA counterpart.
Newspace Systems Pty LTD from Cape Town, South Africa signed up with Oakman Aerospace, Inc. from Colorado, USA at the 4S Symposium for small Earth observations satellites held in Malta earlier this month in a deal which they believe will give them a competitive edge in the small satellite market.
“This pact is not only about extending our business and increasing exports for our country but also recognition of African capability in the sophisticated high-tech small satellite market,” says James Barrington-Brown, CEO of NewSpace Systems (NSS), which has already secured some 30 contracts from 11 different countries.
Both companies are specialists in various fields of the small satellite industry and the partnership will enable themto establish a unique technical platform for inter alia the manufacture and operation of small satellites with interchangeable modular components sourced from different suppliers. This will help to extend a satellite's service lifetime and ultimately reduce costs.
Their products will be available to government, commercial, and academic customers across the globe. Their first MoU now paves the way for a Master Service Agreement after which they will pursue a Technical Assistance Agreement through the United States Department of State Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC).
Stanley Kennedy, President and Chief Systems Engineer for Oakman Aerospace, Inc (OAI), commented on the MoU with the following: “Oakman Aerospace is very excited for this opportunity to work with NewSpace Systems in developing and advancing modular, open-systems architecture and leveraging the competitive advantage this agreement brings to the United States and world markets. OAI and NSS look forward to providing the best possible engineering products and services for their academic, government, and industry partners.”
James Barrington-Brown, CEO added: “With NewSpace’s market leading product solutions for the Smallsat market, widely recognized through a multitude of international sales, it is a logical next step to focus more directly on the most significant Smallsat community, which is in the USA. Given their similarities in size, experience and strategic outlook, OAI makes the perfect partner for our next stage of company investment and growth.”
Oakman Aerospace, Inc. is a veteran, woman-owned business focused on space mission engineering and simulation; mission analysis; orbit design and orbit constellation design; spacecraft design, analysis and simulation;payload design and analysis; and flight software development.
NewSpace Systems, which has it main facility in South Africa and a subsidiary in the UK, has as shareholders Space Commercial Services Aerospace Group, South Africa's biggest private satellite company as well as a Dutch investor
NewSpace Systems operates its own European Space Agency standard Clean Room facility, which is the only one in Africa. Some of their flagship products secured in over 30 contracts from 11 countries world-wide includeinter alia a Fine-Sun Sensor for NASA's iSat test for interplanetary propulsion, a Magnetotorquer for a Swedish scientific mission and a high altitude GPS system, developed in conjunction with the University of Stellenbosch, which determines the positions of satellites in space.
Please see www.newspacesystems.com and www.oak-aero.com for more information.
end
Caption IMG 2564.jpg
Stanley Kennedy, President of Oakman Aerospace, Maureen S. O’Brien Chief Executive Officer at Oakman Aerospace and James Barrington-Brown, CEO of NewSpace Systems, at the signing of their MoU in Malta earlier this month at the 4S Symposium 2016: The Symposium on Small Satellites for Earth Observation and The Small Satellites Conference.
Caption NewSpace Clean Room.jpg
The NewSpace Clean Room is the only one in Africa, which adheres to European Space Agency standards. It is a highly sophisticated environment where all soldering and other processes are done under the microscope. An in-house qualified accredited trainer gets personnel up to the required standards.
Caption IMG 2529.jpg
A display of some satellite components manufactured by NewSpace Systems. Some of their recent flagship products include a Fine-Sun Sensor for NASA's iSat test for interplanetary propulsion, a Magnetotorquer for a Swedish scientific mission and a high altitude GPS system, which determines the positions of satellites in space.
For more information:
NewSpace Systems Pty Ltd
James Barrington Brown, CEO
+27 21 300 0160
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.newspacesystems.com
Oakman Aerospace, Inc.
Stanley Kennedy, President/CSE
+1 303-904-6060
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.oak-aero.com
This report was compiled by Anthony Penderis
Media Release: 23 May 2016
International Space Station eyes African Continent
A South African satellite company just acquired the rights to distribute high-resolution satellite imagery of the African continent from the first publicly accessible high-definition cameras installed on the International Space Station.
Cape Town-based Space Commercial Services Aerospace Group (SCS AG), Africa’s leading private satellite company, has acquired the imagery distribution rights for sub-Saharan Africa from Urthecast, the Canadian Vancouver-based satellite operator. Under the agreement SCS AG provides imagery products from two cameras on board the International Space Station (ISS) as well as from two Deimos satellites operated by Urthecast.
These high resolution satellite images and video footage find a wide range of applications within the private sector and government agencies in the arena of agriculture, environmental protection, infrastructrue monitoring and security.
"We are very proud of this new partnership with UrtheCast and excited to bring their advanced suite of systems that offer access to Very High-Resolution (VHR) satellite imagery, HD Video and Broad Area Coverage from its fleet of space-based sensors,” said Dr. Sias Mostert, CEO of SCS AG.
Mr. Wade Larson, Chief Executive Officer of UrtheCast, commented “We are extremely excited about this partnership, which provides immediate access to data to assist in improving the quality of life for people across the continent. More specifically, the information extracted from our data could be used to enhance service delivery in urban and rural areas and contribute to the economic security of Africa.”
Space Commercial Services Global Information (SCSGi), a subidiary of SCS AG which specializes in imagery and geospatial information solutions, will be the Master Distributor for the African continent imagery.
Mr. Retief Gerber, Chief Executive Officer of SCSGi, commented: “We are looking forward to utilizing the data to support a wide range of applications such as crop assessments, forestry management, environmental protection, insurance risk assessments, infrastructure monitoring, urban and rural development, border control and maritime security. Our image rigths acquisition from UrtheCast has increased our capacity to provide customers with value-added information services to the point of decision-making.”
The SCSGi images and services are also available through an online ordering system. See http://www.scsgi.com for more information.
end
Caption 1 (Durban Harbour Satellite Pic.jpg)
South Africa’s Port of Durban, the busiest shipping terminal in sub-Saharan Africa. This high definition satellite image was taken from a height of 400 km by an Urthecast Deimos camera.
Caption 2 (Cape Town Harbour Satellite Pic.jpg)
Cape Town Stadium, built for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront and Signal Hill are the most famous landmarks on this high definition satellite image taken from a height of 400 km by an Urthecast Deimos camera.
Caption 3 (Johannesburg Satellite Pic.jpg)
A section of central Johannesburg, South Africa’s biggest city with the Ellis Park Rugby Stadium and Standard Bank Arena shown next to the patch of cloud cover. The high definition satellite image was taken from a height of 400 km by an Urthecast Deimos camera.
Caption 4 (Pretoria Satellite Pic.jpg)
A snatch of Pretoria, the administrative capital of South Africa, with the Wonderboom Junction at the centre. This high definition satellite image was taken from a height of 400 km by an Urthecast Deimos camera.
Compiled by Anthony Penderis, Media Liaison, SCS Aerospace Group.
Enquiries
Dewald Lloyd, SCSGi Manager: Distributor Network and Sales
+27 (0)21 850 0973; mob: +27 (0)72 909 8704; <[email protected]>
Anthony Penderis, Media Liaison: SCS AG
+ 27 (0) 84 306 0331; <[email protected]>
International Space Station eyes African Continent
A South African satellite company just acquired the rights to distribute high-resolution satellite imagery of the African continent from the first publicly accessible high-definition cameras installed on the International Space Station.
Cape Town-based Space Commercial Services Aerospace Group (SCS AG), Africa’s leading private satellite company, has acquired the imagery distribution rights for sub-Saharan Africa from Urthecast, the Canadian Vancouver-based satellite operator. Under the agreement SCS AG provides imagery products from two cameras on board the International Space Station (ISS) as well as from two Deimos satellites operated by Urthecast.
These high resolution satellite images and video footage find a wide range of applications within the private sector and government agencies in the arena of agriculture, environmental protection, infrastructrue monitoring and security.
"We are very proud of this new partnership with UrtheCast and excited to bring their advanced suite of systems that offer access to Very High-Resolution (VHR) satellite imagery, HD Video and Broad Area Coverage from its fleet of space-based sensors,” said Dr. Sias Mostert, CEO of SCS AG.
Mr. Wade Larson, Chief Executive Officer of UrtheCast, commented “We are extremely excited about this partnership, which provides immediate access to data to assist in improving the quality of life for people across the continent. More specifically, the information extracted from our data could be used to enhance service delivery in urban and rural areas and contribute to the economic security of Africa.”
Space Commercial Services Global Information (SCSGi), a subidiary of SCS AG which specializes in imagery and geospatial information solutions, will be the Master Distributor for the African continent imagery.
Mr. Retief Gerber, Chief Executive Officer of SCSGi, commented: “We are looking forward to utilizing the data to support a wide range of applications such as crop assessments, forestry management, environmental protection, insurance risk assessments, infrastructure monitoring, urban and rural development, border control and maritime security. Our image rigths acquisition from UrtheCast has increased our capacity to provide customers with value-added information services to the point of decision-making.”
The SCSGi images and services are also available through an online ordering system. See http://www.scsgi.com for more information.
end
Caption 1 (Durban Harbour Satellite Pic.jpg)
South Africa’s Port of Durban, the busiest shipping terminal in sub-Saharan Africa. This high definition satellite image was taken from a height of 400 km by an Urthecast Deimos camera.
Caption 2 (Cape Town Harbour Satellite Pic.jpg)
Cape Town Stadium, built for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront and Signal Hill are the most famous landmarks on this high definition satellite image taken from a height of 400 km by an Urthecast Deimos camera.
Caption 3 (Johannesburg Satellite Pic.jpg)
A section of central Johannesburg, South Africa’s biggest city with the Ellis Park Rugby Stadium and Standard Bank Arena shown next to the patch of cloud cover. The high definition satellite image was taken from a height of 400 km by an Urthecast Deimos camera.
Caption 4 (Pretoria Satellite Pic.jpg)
A snatch of Pretoria, the administrative capital of South Africa, with the Wonderboom Junction at the centre. This high definition satellite image was taken from a height of 400 km by an Urthecast Deimos camera.
Compiled by Anthony Penderis, Media Liaison, SCS Aerospace Group.
Enquiries
Dewald Lloyd, SCSGi Manager: Distributor Network and Sales
+27 (0)21 850 0973; mob: +27 (0)72 909 8704; <[email protected]>
Anthony Penderis, Media Liaison: SCS AG
+ 27 (0) 84 306 0331; <[email protected]>
Media Release: 10 March 2016
Satellite Constellation Tailored for African Continent Now Operational
Africa can now rely on the services of a satellite constellation tailored for the continent to provide reliable data over a wide range of essential human activities and for the protection of the environment.
The constellation which combines the services of ten satellites with the capability of covering any part of the continent at least once a day was introduced at an African Satellite Remote Sensing Conference in Pretoria yesterday by Africa’s leading private space company the Space Commercial Services Aerospace Group (SCS AG).
“Satellite technology is set to become an indispensable component of smart governance and economic development in Africa to ensure growth and prosperity for all the peoples of the continent,” said Dr. Sias Moster, CEO of SCS AG in his address to the delegates. "Governments agencies and private companies can now have reliable, dependable, real-time high-quality data obtained through satellite imagery to support a wide range of services such as crop assessments, forestry management and deforestation, environmental protection, fire warnings, insurance risk assessments, address validation, infrastructure monitoring, urban and rural development, population counts, border control and maritime security.
“We are now in the position to provide monitoring and management services anywhere in Africa at least once a day with a minimum turn-around time of 30 seconds to 6 hours and a resolution down to 0.5 meter. Some types of services can be provided regardless of cloud cover or time of night or day," said Dr. Mostert.
This service will be provided by SCS Global Information (SCSGi) is a subsidiary of the SCS Aerospace Group headquartered in Cape Town. The SCS AG group consists of three lines of business that include small satellite engineering, satellite component manufacturing and global information services.
The SCSGi African Satellite Constellation combines the capacity of the following satellites over Africa - the Chinese TripleSat Constellation, RadarSat-2, Deimos 1 & 2; KazEOSat 1 & 2; Landsat 8, MODIS and the Urthecast cameras IRIS, Theis and HRC-DM on the International Space Station. These satellites can be tasked to collect near real-time data on a 24/7-basis globally to deliver timely reliable information services.
Services are provided through an online ordering system which makes it easy for customers to order their imagery. The use of such an African virtual satellite constellation makes it possible for processes to be monitored in hours, minutes and seconds, instead of days. See http://www.scsgi.com for more information.
"The time is right for Africa to become part of the worldwide outer space industry bolstered by amazing technological feats such as rovers on Mars, close-up satellite fly-by's of Mercury and Pluto, a craft landing on an asteroid, NASA's aim to send humans to Mars within two decades and commercial space travel now almost a reality. Within a decade every African in even the remotest part of the continent will be able to access the internet on a mobile device directly through satellites," says Dr. Mostert.
end
Satellite Constellation Tailored for African Continent Now Operational
Africa can now rely on the services of a satellite constellation tailored for the continent to provide reliable data over a wide range of essential human activities and for the protection of the environment.
The constellation which combines the services of ten satellites with the capability of covering any part of the continent at least once a day was introduced at an African Satellite Remote Sensing Conference in Pretoria yesterday by Africa’s leading private space company the Space Commercial Services Aerospace Group (SCS AG).
“Satellite technology is set to become an indispensable component of smart governance and economic development in Africa to ensure growth and prosperity for all the peoples of the continent,” said Dr. Sias Moster, CEO of SCS AG in his address to the delegates. "Governments agencies and private companies can now have reliable, dependable, real-time high-quality data obtained through satellite imagery to support a wide range of services such as crop assessments, forestry management and deforestation, environmental protection, fire warnings, insurance risk assessments, address validation, infrastructure monitoring, urban and rural development, population counts, border control and maritime security.
“We are now in the position to provide monitoring and management services anywhere in Africa at least once a day with a minimum turn-around time of 30 seconds to 6 hours and a resolution down to 0.5 meter. Some types of services can be provided regardless of cloud cover or time of night or day," said Dr. Mostert.
This service will be provided by SCS Global Information (SCSGi) is a subsidiary of the SCS Aerospace Group headquartered in Cape Town. The SCS AG group consists of three lines of business that include small satellite engineering, satellite component manufacturing and global information services.
The SCSGi African Satellite Constellation combines the capacity of the following satellites over Africa - the Chinese TripleSat Constellation, RadarSat-2, Deimos 1 & 2; KazEOSat 1 & 2; Landsat 8, MODIS and the Urthecast cameras IRIS, Theis and HRC-DM on the International Space Station. These satellites can be tasked to collect near real-time data on a 24/7-basis globally to deliver timely reliable information services.
Services are provided through an online ordering system which makes it easy for customers to order their imagery. The use of such an African virtual satellite constellation makes it possible for processes to be monitored in hours, minutes and seconds, instead of days. See http://www.scsgi.com for more information.
"The time is right for Africa to become part of the worldwide outer space industry bolstered by amazing technological feats such as rovers on Mars, close-up satellite fly-by's of Mercury and Pluto, a craft landing on an asteroid, NASA's aim to send humans to Mars within two decades and commercial space travel now almost a reality. Within a decade every African in even the remotest part of the continent will be able to access the internet on a mobile device directly through satellites," says Dr. Mostert.
end
