The Ministers, mayors, scientists, delegates from across the world and other guests gathered in Hermanus last week for a special occasion.
A multi-million rand state-of-the-art Space Weather Capability was launched on 3 November at the South African Space Agency (Sansa).
The Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Blade Nzimande, who opened the centre, said: “The department has made huge investments in establishing a world-class space weather capability that will not only benefit South Africa, but the rest of Africa as well. The operational capability has been developed over the past three years and, to date, the DSI has invested over R70,89 million for the establishment of the 24/7 space weather capability.”
Early warnings and forecasts are crucial for protecting satellites, national power grids, communications and navigation systems from the harmful effects of solar storms and other space weather phenomena.
“Space weather can interfere with satellite electronics, communications and GPS signals, among other things,” Nzimande pointed out. “With the growing need to monitor space weather and its impact, Sansa joined the membership of the International Space Environment Service and contributed this service as the Regional Warning Centre for space weather in Africa.”
According to Dr Lee-Anne McKinnell, Managing Director at Sansa Hermanus, the establishment of this capability includes infrastructure development, instrumentation deployment, product and service development, and capability development through an investment in the required skills.
“The establishment project commenced in October 2019 and was completed on time and in budget by end of September 2022,” she said. McKinnell further emphasised this development represents the value of science, technology and innovation in building new applications and technologies in South Africa, and in solving global challenges through the research-to-operations value chain.
