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State of Africa – Parameters and Legacies of Governance 227 PART 3 External Relations and Issue Areas CHAPTER 14 The State of Space Science in Africa Nceba Mhlahlo Introduction In the past 15 years there has been much deliberation, discussion and agreement on measures to promote science and technology across Africa. These include, on the one hand, the expressed need to coordinate space science efforts in Africa and on the other, declarations and policy on future direction of science in the continent.1 Africa has seen an increase in the number of space science activities in the last 15 years, both in the arena of space-based and ground-based observations. In the space-based domain, these activities have been marked by the advent of highly capable and yet low-cost micro-satellites. The micro-satellites transmit information from space and provide a variety of broadcast services on the ground (communication satellites) and they help us study the earth in a number of areas, for example, mapping, and to monitor, manage and protect the earth’s resources and environment (earth observation satellites). In the ground-based domain, there have been proposals for, and ongoing construction of, Àrst-generation telescopes such as the Southern African Large Telescope (SALT), the High Energy Stereoscopic System (HESS), the Karoo Array Telescope (MeerKAT) and the much-publicised Square Kilometre Array (SKA), which when completed will be the largest radio telescope in the world. These large-scale facilities on the ground come with increased sensitivity and will enable scientists to carry out cutting-edge science and subsequently enhance our understanding of the universe. They also come with many opportunities for training and transfer of skills, especially for the youth and sustainable development. The plethora of space-related activities do not bring about beneÀts in the areas of health, agriculture and water management only, but new challenges as well. Another major challenge is the lack of human capital for the utilisation of these increasing activities and programmes. This problem was highlighted by Ellis2 as early as 1994 to warn scientists of its future consequences . Another challenge is Ànding a coordinated and integrated approach to harmonise these activities across different institutions, national facilities and government departments and agencies. To meet this challenge, a few 228 Africa Institute of South Africa PART 3 External Relations and Issue Areas The State of Space Science in Africa African countries have established space agencies that will also implement space policies and drive their space programmes and activities. In this chapter space science activities in the African countries that have space programmes are discussed and then space science policy issues and challenges are examined. Finally, the social beneÀts of space science and technology are discussed and concluding remarks drawn. Space science activities in Africa Though much of the information on space science activities in a few African countries is provided here, accessing some of this information has proved to be difÀcult, and only a few institutions have websites that provide this information, while some of the websites are not active. Much consideration therefore has been given to the principal role players in space science in Africa. Algeria, Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa are the only African countries that have space programmes in terms of having their satellites lofted into space. Algeria Algeria started with its space venture in 2002. In recognition of the vital role that space science plays in a national economy, the Algerian government created a space agency, the Agence Spatiale Algérienne (ASAL), to promote and regulate the exploration of space. This country also has a thriving research community in astronomy and astrophysics. ASAL, through its main activity centre, the Algerian National Space Technology Centre (CNTS), has set its focus on space research and the production of micro-satellites. Algeria’s Àrst satellite, AlSat-1, was the result of a partnership between the CNTS and the Surrey Space Centre of Britain. AlSat-1 was launched into space in 2002. The satellite weighed 90 kg with a ground resolution of 32 m, meaning that at the altitude of the satellite (~680 km) two objects separated by a distance greater than 32 m would be discerned as two separate features. AlSat-1 operated in three spectral bands, that is in the green, red and near infra-red.3 The satellite had a designated lifespan of Àve years, but is still operational. Also, CNTS is constructing a satellite system, AlSat-2A and AlSat-2B for earth observation. AlSat-2A was scheduled...

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