Our Science and Technology minister didn’t mince her words announcing the arrival of SANSA (South African National Space Agency) yesterday using terms like “launch” and ”local scientific research sector” at free will. She even went so far as to say a decade from now South Africa would be a thriving space nation. Let’s look at some of the pros and cons of Mzansi in orbit.

We can now say, “Orkney, we have a problem.” Pro.

The observatory outside Sutherland seems more legit. Pro.

Obs in Cape Town less so. Con.

Together with SAMA we now have two ridiculously long acronyms to deal with. Con.

The international space community will be introduced to padkos. Pro.

The international space station will be introduced to vuvuzelas. Pro.

MPs have more destinations to add to their travel budget. Con.

We get a chance to test those kudu skin space suits. Pro.

If you take the amount of satellites we send up and multiply it with the amount of Aids sufferers it cures you get zero. Con.

So on the whole this looks like a great idea. Set the controls for the heart of the sun, china.

[Image: Gallo]