An Assessment of African Economic Stakeholders Who Could Benefit from an East African Spaceport
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- 2.4.2Other African Government Space Enterprises
- 2.4.2.3South African National Space Agency
- 2.4.2.4South African Council for Space Affairs
- 2.4.3Key African Government Officials
- 2.4.3.1Naledi Pandor - Minister of Science and Technology, South Africa
- 2.4.3.2Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu - Minister of Science and Technology, Nigeria
- 2.5African Grass-Roots Stakeholders
- 2.5.1African Entrepreneur
- 2.5.2African Professional Societies and Nonprofits
- 2.5.2.2South African Space Association
- 2.5.2.3Foundation for Space Development South Africa
- 2.5.2.4African Space Research Program
- 2.5.3African Universities
- 2.5.3.2Denel Technical Academy
- 2.5.3.3Mekelle University
2.4African Government StakeholdersSeveral African governments are engaged in potentially relevant space enterprises. Many of these could potentially use an East African spaceport in some capacity. 2.4.1East African Government Space Enterprises2.4.1.1KenyaKenya officially established its own space agency on February 18, 2016 when the Kenyan Cabinet approved the Kenya Space Policy and Strategy. [27] The hope is to use the space agency to boost the country’s security as well as provide solutions in the agriculture, education, and medical sectors. Additionally, Kenya plans to use space technology to facilitate urban development, land use monitoring, and mapping for the surveillance of climate change effects such as flooding. [27] There is even hope expressed that space tourism could come to a potential Kenyan launch site. [27] 2.4.2Other African Government Space Enterprises2.4.2.1NigeriaNigeria established the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) in 2001. [28] Currently, NASRDA’s scope includes basic space science and technology, remote sensing, satellite meteorology, communication and information technology, and defense and security. Five satellites have been launched by the Nigerian government to date. Future plans for NASRDA include additional communications and Earth observing satellites, indigenous satellite build capability, launch vehicle and spaceport development, a lunar probe, and a Nigerian astronaut in space by 2030. [28] [29] 2.4.2.2EgyptThe National Authority for Remote Sensing and Space Sciences (NARSS) is Egypt’s space agency, established in 1994. [30] NARSS is divided into two primary sectors, Remote Sensing and Space Sciences. Remote Sensing is responsible for the use of remote sensing data, while Space Sciences is responsible for satellite and remote sensor development. [30] NARSS has launched two satellites, EgyptSat 1 and EgyptSat 2, both of which have failed in orbit. [30] [31] 2.4.2.3South African National Space AgencyThe South African National Space Agency was established in 2010 to “promote the use of space and cooperation in space-related activities while fostering research in space science, advancing scientific engineering through developing of our human capital and provide support to industrial development in space technologies.” [32] The South African National Space Agency seeks to provide benefit to society; engage the public; develop its workforce; develop and apply research, innovation, technology; create a globally competitive space industry; and make South Africa a recognized global space citizen. [32] It is organized into six primary focus areas: Earth observation, space operations, space science, space engineering, science advancement and public engagement, and human capital development. [32] 2.4.2.4South African Council for Space AffairsThe South African Council for Space Affairs is a second space agency in South Africa. It is positioned under the authority of the Minister of Trade and Industry and serves as body to exercise regulatory functions and advise the Minister of all space-related matters. [33] It is organized into three committees: Scientific and Technical Committee, Policy and Legal Committee, and Advocacy and Liaison Committee. [33] 2.4.3Key African Government OfficialsSpace activities in Africa have been publically endorsed or championed by several key government officials who could be potential advocates for space industry growth in Africa, potentially including an equatorial spaceport – provided the spaceport offers benefit to their respective nations. 2.4.3.1Naledi Pandor - Minister of Science and Technology, South AfricaDuring her April 2016 budget vote speech, Minister Pandor expressed great disappointment for the flat budget allocated to science, technology, and innovation. She warned that the lack of growth places South Africa at risk of being overtaken by nations less capable than South Africa is today. [34] [35] Minister Pandor did describe a key area of South African astronomy success – a reorganization of optical, radio, and gamma ray astronomy facilities under a single astronomy sub-agency. This includes merging South Africa’s first major radio astronomy observatory, the Hartebeesthoek Radio Astronomy Observatory (formerly the NASA Deep Space Station 51 until NASA’s withdrawal in 1975), [31] with the SKA project, an international effort led by South Africa to build the world's largest radio telescope, with a square kilometer (one million square meter) of collecting area. [34] [35] [36] 2.4.3.2Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu - Minister of Science and Technology, NigeriaAs a part of Nigeria’s April 2016 announcement of plans to send an astronaut into space by 2030, Dr. Onu stated “The space program is very important. Space is a major asset that Nigeria must be involved in for the purpose of protecting national interests.” [29] Due to Dr. Onu’s support, a Nigerian Space Agency delegation has planned a visit to China to discuss logistics and investment for a Nigerian astronaut aboard a manned space mission, which would be the first by any African nation. [29] 2.5African Grass-Roots StakeholdersBeyond the government, there are wealthy entrepreneurs in Africa who have taken concrete steps to advance space technologies and engagement within the continent. There are also professional societies, nonprofits, individual inventors, or other independent groups that have taken similar action. 2.5.1African Entrepreneur2.5.1.1Mohammed Al AmoudiMohammed Al Amoudi funded the Ethiopian Space Science Society (ESSS). Mohammed Al Amoudi is the son of a Saudi father and an Ethiopian mother and has a current net worth of $8.5 Billion. [37] Mohammed has accumulated a portfolio of construction, agriculture, and energy companies across Sweden, Saudi Arabia and Ethiopia. He made his initial fortune in construction in Saudi Arabia, and continues to build complexes from hospital centers to university buildings. One of his most valuable assets is oil refiner Preem, which bills itself as the largest fuel company in Sweden. In Ethiopia he has invested in agriculture, cement production and gold mining. His firm Saudi Star Agricultural Development has cultivated thousands of acres of land for fruits, vegetables, cereals, coffee, tea, flowers and rice fields for customers in Ethiopia and abroad. It exports coffee beans to Starbucks and tea leaves to Lipton. [37] 2.5.2African Professional Societies and Nonprofits2.5.2.1Ethiopian Space Science Society (ESSS)The mission of the ESSS is, “to build a society with a highly developed scientific culture that enable Ethiopia to reap the benefits accruing from space science and technology. In doing so ESSS focus in popularizing space science and astronomy in the country and, attract and develop as many young professionals as possible by providing access to basic astronomy and space science education, laying down infrastructure for establishment of research centers and observatories and making collaboration and links with local and international bodies working in the field.” [38] Astronomy is a primary focus of the society, though there is a secondary focus on space science and technology at a high level. 2.5.2.2South African Space AssociationThe South African Space Association “acts as a platform to engage industry, academia, and the professions and civil society at large with various space science and technology issues.” [39] It positions itself to be the lead platform for industry, academia, and civilian society to interact with the South African space arena. [39] Its membership consists of student members, professional members, companies, and educational or nonprofit organizations. The major functions of the association include [39]:
2.5.2.3Foundation for Space Development South AfricaThe Foundation for Space Development South Africa was established in 2009 as a nonprofit organization to drive space awareness, outreach and education. [40] The foundation participates in Space Activities at schools, science centers and community days throughout the year. The foundation also offers several programs to introduce both young students and adults to the space science and technology. The Foundation for Space Development deployed a crowdfunding initiative at the end of 2014 to plan an African Mission to the Moon, called Africa2Moon, to promote STEM Education in Africa and to conduct scientific research of the Moon. The campaign raised over $25,000. [41] The Africa2Moon Mission is being designed to inspire the youth of Africa to believe that “They Can Reach for the Moon” by literally reaching for the moon through education and science. The program’s primary objective will be to provide a series of public participation and scientific missions over a multi-year period, culminating in a final Mission to the Moon. This mission will transmit video images from the surface of, or in orbit around, the moon, that can then be relayed back and distributed via the internet into the classrooms in Africa thus inspiring African youth to believe in their own potential. [41] 2.5.2.4African Space Research ProgramLocated in Uganda with an international extension in Dallas/Fort Worth, the African Space Research Program (ASRP) is a nonprofit, grassroots effort to participate in space technologies. Its activities are the work of volunteers, private donations, and some funding from the Ugandan government. [42] 2.5.3African Universities2.5.3.1University of Cape TownSpaceLab is a platform at the University of Cape Town intended to promote multidisciplinary education and research in space science and technology. It was established to, “promote the development and use of novel space technologies for use in outer space and on the Earth, and to train graduate students to strengthen the South African and African skills base in the development and applications of space systems.” [43] The Laboratory seeks to partner with local and international academic and public and private sector initiatives in pursuit of its objectives. [43] SpaceLab seeks to play a leading role in South Africa and Africa through education and research. Key areas of emphasis are producing highly skilled space professionals, developing space applications to support sustainable development, and advancing cost-effective technologies through the design, development, testing and qualification of new space systems. [43] 2.5.3.2Denel Technical AcademyThe Denel Technical Academy provides accredited, cost effective and efficient training of technical personnel for the aerospace, engineering and defense industries. [44] It appears to be similar in scope to a trade-based American community college, but is focused in the aviation industry. Many of the skills taught, however, transfer to other defense and aerospace domains, including some space industry overlap. 2.5.3.3Mekelle UniversityMekelle University in Ethiopia is part of a consortium of companies working to develop a suborbital rocket named Alpha Melwes, in honor of the late Prime Minister Meles Zenawi. [45] The rocket will reach an altitude of 30 km. [45] Directory: conferences conferences -> Simulation and Prediction of Storm Surges, Waves, and Morphological Changes due to Tropical Cyclones by Using a pc-based Integrated Coastal Process Model conferences -> Do remittances have a flip side? A general equilibrium analysis of remittances, labor supply responses and policy options for Jamaica* Maurizio Bussolo and Denis Medvedev conferences -> Proceedings of gt2009 asme turbo Expo 2009: Power for Land, Sea and Air Orlando, Florida, USA gt2009-59981 dynamics of premixed h2/CH4 flames under near blowoff conditions conferences -> Asset rotator Cuff Rehabilitation Course Faculty Dr. Spero Karas conferences -> Acm word Template for sig site conferences -> Eu membership and growing regional disparities: poland’s strategy options to optimise structural transfers from the union conferences -> Sports in Cuba in the Twenty-First Century: The Challenges of the New Millennium conferences -> The Value of Modeling and Simulation Standards conferences -> Educational Technology and Related Educational Conferences for November 2007 – June 2008 conferences -> Language Assessments that Reflect Standards on Both Sides of the Atlantic Download 114.01 Kb. Share with your friends:
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