The South African National Space Agency (SANSA) came into being in December 2010, but South Africa’s involvement with space research and activities started many decades earlier with helping early international space efforts in the second half of the 20th century, and observing the Earth’s magnetic field at stations around Southern Africa.
SANSA was created to promote the use of space and strengthen cooperation in space-related activities while fostering research in space science, advancing scientific engineering through developing human capital, and supporting industrial development in space technologies.
The research and work carried out at SANSA focuses on space science, engineering and technology that can promote development, build human capital and provide important national services. Much of this work involves monitoring the Earth and our surrounding environment, and using the collected data to ensure that navigation, communication technology and weather forecasting services function as intended.
SANSA’s Head Office in Pretoria oversees SANSA operations and management the Earth Observation programme (currently based in Hartebeesthoek); the Space Operations programme (formerly the Satellite Application Centre, located in Hartebeesthoek); and the Space Science programme (former Hermanus Magnetic Observatory, located in Hermanus); as well as a newly-established Space Engineering programme situated alongside the Head Office.
SANSA takes outreach and public education seriously, and there is always something for the public to do at SANSA’s facilities around South Africa. SANSA runs roadshows and school trips every year to encourage learners to follow careers in STEM, and the public is welcome to tour our facilities and attend public lectures about SANSA’s work around the world.
Find out what’s happening near you and how you can get involved in the next SANSA roadshow:
SANSA aims to promote interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM), and is dedicated to outreach and public education. There is always something for the public to do at the various SANSA facilities around South Africa. SANSA runs roadshows every year to encourage learners to aspire to careers in STEM, and the public is welcome to tour various SANSA facilities and attend public lectures about SANSA’s work around the world.
Activities are hosted by means of national exhibitions and school visits, as well as within the SANSA Science Centre and the interactive mobile space laboratory. The activities are aimed specifically at educators and learners, with an emphasis on practical learning programmes.
For information regarding the SANSA’s education activities, please visit the following page: www.sansa.org.za/events-outreach
