A constellation of satellites similar to SumbandilaSat is being planned to increase the availability of satellite data for diverse applications.
The Department of Science and Technology (DST) says several African countries will participate in this joint venture and will eventually share in the data produced by the African Resource Management Constellation, especially for disaster monitoring applications.
Science and technology minister Naledi Pandor says as one of the core objectives of the National Space Strategy, the department will expand its investment in “micro” satellites, building on the existing SumbandilaSat platform.
The Sumbandila satellite has been providing local entities with valuable high-resolution satellite imagery at no cost, despite earlier technical setbacks, according to the DST.
Satellite tumble
The satellite acquired five high-resolution images of the south-western part of the Kruger National Park and neighbouring Bushbuckridge, where the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research and SANParks Scientific Services are conducting various research projects.
“These images would have cost in excess of R40 000 each from a commercially operated satellite, but now SumbandilaSat can deliver the imagery (50 x 60km area per image) for specific projects to local users at no cost,” adds the department.
It says 800 images have successfully been taken so far, of targets worldwide (of which approximately 54% are cloud-free). “This translates to four images on an average day. Three to five images can be captured of southern African targets per week.”
The DST explains that earlier in the mission, a setback was experienced with the performance of the stabilisation system on the satellite.
“To counter the problem, the SunSpace design team managed to guide the satellite to tumble 'head-over-heels' to scan an image from south to north, while orbiting north to south. This unique and initially unplanned manoeuvre allows the satellite to continue to take high-resolution images of worldwide targets on a daily basis.”
Low capacity
The provision of free and frequent high-resolution satellite images of specific areas of interest will revolutionise earth observation in many fields, according to the department.
It adds that in this way natural events and disasters like fires and floods; and human activities, for example, mining, can be accurately monitored on a regular basis.
“The SumbandilaSat images can also be used to map burnt areas, for example, in the Kruger National Park where fire is part of the natural ecology and is used as a management tool by SANParks to manipulate the vegetation to promote biodiversity and influence the balance between grass, shrubs and big trees.”
The satellite imagery can also be used to monitor the recovery of the vegetation in the burnt area and the long-term influence of fire on tree and grass cover.
“SANParks currently has to rely on very coarse resolution satellite images with 500MP size for regular mapping of burnt areas. SumbandilaSat provides images at 6.25MP resolution and covers a 50 x 60km area per image,” says the department.
It adds that although the imaging capacity of SumbandilaSat is much lower than commercial high-resolution satellites, the satellite has demonstrated the viability of affordable micro-satellite technology, which is its primary stated mission.
Space communication
World Wide Worx Strategy MD Steven Ambrose says: “The pictures are a reflection of South African technical prowess and perseverance, despite all manner of obstacles in the realisation of the project. The high-resolution and the fact that these are being received by a South African organisation, from a largely South African satellite, is a great success.”
The DST says the satellite carries a secondary communication payload from the Department of Communications, in addition to the camera, since government will also use the satellite for communications.
There are also secondary experimental payloads for the scientific community in the areas of low-frequency radio waves, radiation, software defined radio, a forced vibrating string and a radio amateur transponder, says Pandor.
She adds that the aim of the project is to strengthen SA's technological capabilities and space resources, which will position it to attract international investments that will stimulate and develop the local space industry.
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