Ever wonder what goes on at the South African National Space Agency (SANSA)? What is the National Space Program, space weather, and why are they important? What are the agency’s plans for the future, and how can outsiders get involved or access its know-how for their own businesses?
Join htxt.africa and JoziHub on 16th April at the next JoziConnect Session, for a fireside with two of SANSA’s senior personnel to find out the answers to all these questions and more.
Eugene Avenant is the chief engineer for SANSA’s Space Operations division. Prior to the formation of SANSA in 2010, he worked for CSIR’s Satellite Applications Centre.
As mission control specialist, Gladys Magagula led the team that oversaw the operation of South Africa’s first satellite, SumbandilaSat, in 2009. South Africa’s first black, female mission control specialist, Magagula is currently a project manager at SANSA’s Hartebeesthoek facility.
SANSA has helped to coordinate and promote the work of scientists, specialists and engineers in South Africa, achieving global acclaim. Through its network of satellites and antennas it monitors weather on Earth and in space, maintains an active mission in Antarctica and takes part in prestigious international projects such as the Mars Curiosity mission and the LADEE lunar probe.
It’s even found itself involved in the fight against ‘bankrupt bush’, an invasive grass that threatens to throttle land used for crops and livestock in the Free State.
In addition, it supports private enterprise with its services and technical know-how, and runs outreach programs to promote and enhance science teaching at school.
The JoziConnect Sessions are a free monthly meetup organised by JoziHub. As well as the fireside chat, there’ll be an opportunity to catch up on the latest happenings at the hub, and networking opportunities over drinks and snacks afterwards.
