Make 'space' for SA

2005-05-24 10:32

Jorisna Bonhuys

Cape Town - South Africa may soon boast its own space agency.

Chief director of communication in the department of science and technology Nhlanhla Nyide confirmed that plans would be submitted before the end of this year to the cabinet for approval. Draft legislation is expected to follow early in 2006.

So far South Africa's space projects, as well as co-operation with other countries concerning space programmes, have been largely fragmented.

At this stage South Africa is not considering developing its own spacecraft, said Nyide. That would be too expensive and duplicate projects elsewhere in the world.

"We would rather focus on areas where South Africa has an advantage over its competitors, for example in astronomy."

But he did not exclude the possibility that South African astronauts may be trained in co-operation with other countries. South Africa may also launch its own satellites here.

Nyide emphasised that plans for establishing such a space agency were still in their infancy. It is not known how much it will cost to establish. Submissions on this are now being prepared for the national treasury.

Strengthen South Africa's position

The plans for the proposed space agency are the latest attempt to strengthen South Africa's position in space-related programmes.

Minister of Science and Technology Mosibudi Mangena said recently the Southern African Large Telescope (Salt) at Sutherland will officially be put to use in November. South Africa has also applied to house the world's biggest radiotelescope.

The international committee for this project, Square Kilometre Array (SKA), which must decide where this telescope of $1.5bn (about R9m) will be built, has already flown over the proposed sites in the Northern Cape.

Countries competing are China, America, Australia, Argentina and Brazil. But word is the position as well as the climate here give South Africa a strategic advantage.

If South Africa wins the bid for the SKA, this together with Salt at Sutherland and the Hess telescope in Namibia will put Southern Africa at the forefront of astronomy.

The international SKA Committee will decide at the end of 2006. A demonstration model of the SKA, the "Pathfinder", is now being developed.

- Die Burger