DST takes up space

Minister of science and technology Naledi Pandor will open a Space Weather Centre (SWC) this Friday.

The centre was recently acquired by the Hermanus Magnetic Observatory (HMO), an earth-space science national research facility of the National Research Foundation, according to the Department of Science and Technology (DST).

“It forms part of a worldwide network of observatories and/or data centres of the Earth's geomagnetic field, ionosphere, magnetosphere and lightning monitoring.”

With the upcoming launch and establishment of the South African National Space Agency (SANSA) and the launch of the National Space Strategy, it is imperative that SA has the capabilities within its science infrastructure to provide a good understanding and knowledge of the hostile space environment, says the DST.

“Therefore, space weather has taken a key role and position within the HMO's vision 2015.”

The SWC has been designed to fulfil international requirements and provide a facility for space weather forecasts, predictions and warnings, as well as a facility for the advancement of science to learners, policymakers and the general public, according to the department.

“The design incorporates a state-of-the-art server room, which not only allows for the capacity needed to monitor space weather 24 hours a day, and fuel the attractive displays, but also provided additional capacity to meet other HMO operational needs.

“For the first time ever, HMO has the possibility to continuously monitor the data that is arriving from the different field stations operated by HMO, as well as to provide real-time information derived from that data.”

The DST adds that the SWC will also provide alerts, forecasts and information via modern technology media, such as the Internet, Twitter, and radio.

“So while the operations side is hosted and run in Hermanus, the benefits of this infrastructure can be enjoyed and utilised by the nation.”

The department explains that the HMO conducts observations and simulates the variations of the Earth and space environments using a wide network of instruments that are spread around the southern African region, and extending as far south as Antarctica.

“This ground-based data is complemented by data from various international satellites. The data so collected and widely distributed is used for space physics research, space weather prediction and the training of students in these areas.”

Changes in the atmospheric and space environments can adversely affect both ground-based and space-based technologies and render them inaccurate, inoperable or unreliable, says the DST.

It says space weather is a key element to be considered in the design, deployment, operation, maintenance, compensation or correction of space-induced inaccuracies and the post-analysis of failure of space systems.

Pandor will launch the National Space Strategy and SANSA tomorrow.

The DST says space science and technology is one area through which it can leverage science, technology and innovation to improve the quality of life of South Africans and the competitiveness of the South African economy.

It adds that some of the main objectives of SANSA are to promote the peaceful use of outer space; support the creation of an environment conducive to industrial development in space technologies; foster research in earth observation, communications and navigation; and advance scientific, engineering and technological competencies and capabilities.

SANSA plans to sign two agreements at the launch.

“The first is an inter-agency co-operative agreement with the Algerian Space Agency on space science and technology.

“The second is an MOU with the National Institute for Space Research of Brazil and the China Centre for Resources Satellite Data and Application for the reception and distribution of the China-Brazil Earth Resources Satellite data within South Africa and the SADC region,” says the DST.