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| Having consumed their best brains for a long time, SunSpace are ready to send their SumbandilaSat to Russia for launch. According to SunSpace’s Hendrik Burger, it’s been a labour of love. The R26 million microsatellite will orbit Earth at an altitude of 500 km. |
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Martin Jacobs, who handles new product definition and mission analysis at SunSpace, reckons South Africa’s long political and technological isolation helped to create a special breed of scientist. “We learned to think on our feet, to work within small time frames and tight budgets.
“We take great pride in developing something ourselves and have established strong capabilities in a number of key satellite technologies. However, if an off-the-shelf component is advantageous in terms of budget and timeframe, we’ll explore its potential within the guidelines of good engineering.
“We don’t, for example, develop our own batteries and solar panels.”
An open-minded attitude permeates their entire organisation, says Jacobs.
“We’re encouraged to think independently, and we don’t feel constrained by precedents.”
*Earlier this year, Cabinet approved the establishment of South Africa’s first space agency, saying it would develop a blueprint for the country’s future space science programmes in collaboration with other government departments.
It will also oversee the space science infrastructure at the CSIR, and at universities. The man in charge will be Science and Technology Minister Mosibudi Mangena.
*Visit the South African Space Portal at www.space.gov.za
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