Overview of the space programme in namibia by Dr Eino Mvula

Overview of the Space Programme in Namibia

Dr. Eino MvulaChief Executive Officer

24 July 2013, Windhoek

Presentation Outline

1 Introduction

2 Past and Current Developments

3 Benefits from Space Science & Technology

3 Challenges

4 Looking into the Future

5 Conclusion

Unlocking Namibia’s potential

A. NCRSTs Mandate

Research Science and Technology Act, 2004

NCRST

1. Introduction

Innovation Value Chain

Basic Research Applied Research Technology Dev Manufacturing

National Commission on Research, Science & Technology

Public Research Institutions (UNAM, Poly, ect)

NBIC

NDC

Private Sector

MTI

B. Envisioning the Future1. Introduction (Continues)

Research, Science and Technology

Industrial Policy

Trade Policy

Education Policy

National Quality Policy

Health Policy

Environment Policy

C. Policy Environment1. Introduction (Continues)

Ministry of Defence

Ministry of Education

MAWF

Ministry of ICT

D. Stakeholders in Space Science & Technology

1. Introduction (Continues)

2. Past and Recent Developments

A. HESS and HESS II:

• In 1999 through an agreement betweenthe University of Namibia and the MaxPlanck Institute for Nuclear Physics fourOptical Gamma Ray Telescopes wereconstructed in the Gamsberg Mountains.

• HESS is a collaboration betweennumerous scientist from 12 statesincluding, Germany, South Africa,France, UK, Sweden, Australia, etc.

• Based on the successful discoveries ofthe first phase of HESS, it was decided toconstruct a 30 meter dish that is 70meters high on the same site and isbeing termed as HESS II. The dish wasinaugurated in 2012.

B. Square Kilometer Array (SKA)Project:

• The Square Kilometre Array projectis a global science and engineeringproject to build the world’s largestradio telescope.

• The African effort has nine partnercountries: Botswana, Ghana, Kenya,Madagascar, Mauritius,Mozambique, Namibia, SouthAfrica and Zambia.

• SKA African Associate Countriesobjective is capacity developmentin astronomy, engineering andinformation technology.

2. Past and Recent Developments (Continues)

C. Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA)

• CTA-South will consist of an array ofLarge-Size Telescopes (LSTs) for low-energy detections, Medium-SizeTelescopes (MSTs) for medium-energy (core) range, and Small-SizeTelescopes (SSTs) for high-energydetections.

• Currently Namibia and Argentinaare bidding for hosting the Southernsite.

• Namibia’s chosen site, the Aar site,has excellent environmentalconditions for Astronomy andAstrophysics research and thismakes it better than the Argentiniansite.

• CTA will be in a position to answersome fundamental questions ofastronomy and astrophysics and willbe a long-term (few decades) projectfor conducting research.

2. Past and Recent Developments (Continues)

D. China Manned Space EngineeringProgramme

China Established Tracking, Telemetryand Command (TT&C) Station in 2000,Training programme is in place to buildcapacity. An Exhibition Hall was alsoestablished to promote space science.

E. Others:

• The South African National SpaceAgency’s (SANSA) Space ScienceGeomagnetic Observatory(Hermanus) has establishedobservatories in Keetmanshoop andTsumeb.

2. Past and Recent Developments (Continues)

3. Benefits

A. Weather Satelite

• Weather satellites havedramatically improved weatherforecasts and severe weatherpredictions

B. Resource Monitoring

• Remote sensing technologydeveloped for analysis ofplanetary images has improvedagricultural production.

• Similar technology can be usedfor natural resourcemanagement and disasteranalysis.

3. Benefits (Continues)

C. Ocean Studies D. Digital Maps

E. Satellite Communications

4. Challenges

A. Coordination

• There has been little attempt atcoordination of space activities,which could result induplication of efforts andfacilities.

B. Capacity

• Lack of capacity (Infrastructureand Human)

5 Looking into the Future

• A National Space Policy & Implementation Strategy for Namibia-led anddeveloped by NCRST to streamline activities and ensure benefits are obtainedfrom the various activities and programmes being implemented.

Advanced Skills Development

R&D enabling Access

R&D enabling Services

Three key investment

levers for creating Impact

5 Looking into the Future (Continues)

• CUBESAT programme also called Professional Development inSatellite Systems Engineering and Applications Programme (PDP)which is meant for the Development of Namibia’s first Nano-Satellite,Namsat-1 for educational and research purposes.

• Earth Observation: Expand Namibia’s capacity in Earth Observationtechnologies for monitoring drought, floods and weather.

• Expand the Space Science and Technology Outreach Programme-aimed at capacity building

• Establish the Space Science and Technology Council under NCRST

5. Conclusion

• Namibia is reliant on space technology although limited capabilitieshas been developed to utilise this technology.

• With the establishment of the NCRST we would expect:• improved coordination & funding of space science and

technology activities; and• development policy and legilative instruments to support growth

of the Namibia space arena and greater utilisation of spacetechnology for national development.

Thank you!!!!