South Africa has won an extraordinary victory in space science: the South African National Space Agency (SANSA) has been selected to be the regional provider for all aircrafts using African airspace by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).
This means all aircraft flying in the continent’s airspace will rely on SANSA for space weather information as part of their flight plans.
The term ‘space weather’ refers to events that happen beyond our planet’s atmosphere which can disrupt satellites, GPS, power grids, and navigation and communication systems.
Minister of Science and Technology Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane says as Africa’s designated space weather information provider, South Africa “will [be able to] grow the science, engineering, technology, and innovation sector, offering opportunities to develop scarce skills and increase national research output”.
Source: The South African National Space Agency (SANSA)
SANSA underwent an extensive assessment before being handed this responsibility and earning the accreditation to become one of two ICAO-designated regional space weather centres in the world.
South Africa and a centre jointly owned by Russia and China will have until 2022 to build the necessary capability to provide the required services.
Due to the increased interdependence of technological systems in the world today, space weather events can have a negative impact on multiple systems globally.
Such events can lead to operational failures in the communication, navigation, energy, and aviation of aircrafts with potentially disastrous effects.
The international community has supported the designation of South Africa by the ICAO, and has expressed confidence in SANSA’s ability to provide the necessary services.
“The process that SANSA underwent to achieve this designation has already enhanced South Africa’s reputation in the space science and technology field,” adds Minister Kubayi-Ngubane.
While South Africa is currently the only African country with operational space weather capabilities, the department intends to engage with other African countries on data sharing, infrastructure hosting, training, product development, and research collaboration opportunities.
Picture: Pexels, SANSA
