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SA to launch research satellite next month
October 6, 2013, 3:09 am

South Africa wants to use satellite data for school curricula [Xinhua]

South Africa wants to use satellite data for school curricula [Xinhua]

South Africa will launch a research satellite next month, officials at the Agency for Science and Technology Advancement told reporters Saturday.

The ZA-Cuba will be the third such satellite launched for scientific study and research, and was designed by Cape Peninsula University of Technology students.

The Agency’s Lorenzo Raynard says the aim is to expose school children to the world of science, astronomy and space exploration.

“This is a small experimental tube satellite so it’s a satellite which usually is built by students in partnership with universities and in this case Cape Peninsula University of Technology has been working on this small experimental satellite which I believe by now will be ready for possible launch in late November,” Science and Technology Department (DST) Director-General Phil Mjwara said.

DST and the Department of Trade and Industry have urged the government to pursue satellite production in an effort to gain a share of the global manufacturing market.

Last month, South Africa’s leading aerospace and defence manufacturer Denel began construction through its subsidiary Denel Spaceteq on EO-Sat1, “a multispectral, high-resolution earth observation satellite”.

The satellite will transmit data on agriculture, meteorological studies and assist in preparedness during natural disasters.

Source: Agencies