South Africa is entering the space realm. The Denel Group is creating a high resolution, Earth observing satellite. The satellite will be called the EO-Sat1, and will be monitored by the South African National Space Agency.

The company behind the satellite launch has created its own space engineering business unit called Spaceteq.

The Departments of Science and Technology and Trade Industry identified space as one of South Africa’s “five grand challenges.”

Berthold Alheit, general manager of Denel Spaceteq said that this program will help position South Africa as a country with strong engineering capability and would position the country well with the international community.

Vuyelwa Qinga, spokesman for the Denel Group said:

South Africa’s access to and control over its own satellites will ensure advanced surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities.

She added that the satellites would be used for disaster management, urban planning, and food security.

Qinga acknowledged that the space program would create a bright future for the country, saying:

Retaining and developing technology and engineering skills within the country’s borders will have a much broader national technological benefit and inspire young talent in the much-needed fields of maths and science.

The cost to develop and launch the EO-Sat1 has not yet been determined, but Spaceteq is aiming to have the first one ready in 2017.

[Source: Times Live]