|
||
|
South Africa Confirms Satellite Launch in May |
||
|
LONDON, Feb. 13, 2007/Satnews Daily/ ― The South African government has confirmed the launch of its satellite called “SumbandilaSat” in May. The government said the satellite, the first South African owned and developed low earth-orbiting satellite, will be the first in a series of satellites the country hopes to loft in the future. South Africa was also in discussion with other African nations regarding an African constellation of satellites. SumbandilaSat (formerly Zasat-002) is a micro satellite that will be launched on a Shtil 2.1 launch vehicle. “Sumbandila” means "lead the way" in the African Tshivenda dialect. The satellite will pass over South Africa mid-morning and mid-evening at an average altitude of 500 km. SumbandilaSat will serve as a research tool to investigate the viability of affordable space technology. The images from the satellite will be used in various applications that directly benefit South Africa such as flood and fire disaster management; enhancing food security through crop yield estimation; ensuring better human and animal health through enabling the prediction of outbreaks of diseases; better monitoring of land cover and use as well improved capabilities for water resource management. SumbandilaSat is part of a multimillion dollar, three-year integrated national space program developed by the Department of Science and Technology. The project is being carried out in conjunction with the University of Stellenbosch, Sunspace and Information Systems and the Satellite Application Center. The satellite is being constructed at Stellenbosch.
Recent Stories: Globalstar to Provide Satellite Voice and Data Services in South Africa WorldSpace Enhances Retail Presence in South Africa Telkom South Africa Limited Selects ILC's MaxView to Streamline Satellite Network Operations |
||
