In an effort to build on and explore partnerships and capacity building in the field of space, the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) Space Science and Technology (SST) Chief Directorate and the Department of Defence (DoD) visited the Space facility infrastructure in the Faculty of Engineering & the Built Environment (FEBE) recently.

The two government departments were at CPUT to conceptualise and co-design space programmes that are relevant to the national imperatives and societal needs.  The delegation also included delegations from the South African National Space Agency (SANSA) and Armscor.

In his welcoming speech,  Vice-Chancellor, Prof Chris Nhlapo, said: “We acknowledged that the challenges facing the global community are getting more complex and interdependent and thus global partnership between universities, business, industry and government are essential elements for the success of any institution.  Partnership/collaboration, however, is not a given, collaborate or collapse,” Nhlapo continued.

“The facility you are visiting today owes its success to the CPUT, DSI, The French South African Institute of Technology (F’SATI) that was jointly developed by French and South African Governments, National Research Foundation (NRF) and SANSA.”

The Vice-Chancellor emphasised that it is a mandate of the institution to produce adaptable graduates who are solution driven and can respond to socio-economic challenges. Nhlapo further reiterated the importance of collapsing the boundaries within collaborations to strengthen strategic partnerships and initiatives. He said these can be achieved through continuous engagements with various stakeholders. “We managed to look beyond the hype and mania associated with 4IR (not to mention fear, uncertainty, and doubt.

Nhlapo said universities cannot protect jobs which are made redundant by technology – “but they do have a responsibility to their people”. “Protect people (upskilling) not jobs,” he remarked.

“If technology is killing jobs, then it is only technology [that] can save them.  It is the new equation, and we must solve it.”

Research Technology Innovation and Partnerships Assistant Dean, Prof Veruscha Fester and Dr Angus Brandt – FSATI/ASIC, provided an overview of the FEBE and Satellite Programme. Acting Chief Engineer, Nyameko Royi facilitated a tour of the space facilities.

SST Chief Director, Humbulani Mudau acknowledged the continuous partnership DSI has with CPUT. Mudau pointed out that they brought DoD, SANSA and Armscor to allow the opportunity to engage with engineering to understand CPUT requirements. Manager Research Uptake: Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships, Dr Nelisiwe E. Maleka, added that the key message from the engagements “was that creating access to space and building viable indigenous programme is critical for our country”. “Therefore, a need exists to create opportunities within the field of space and explore other ways of increasing SMMEs [small, micro, and medium enterprises], business development and entrepreneurship. Meanwhile SANSA acting CEO, Andiswa Mlisa, said: “More women should be encouraged to join the field of space because transformation is key.”

 It is envisaged that this is a continuing and progressive partnerships between delegates and CPUT.

Written by Aphiwe Boyce
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The South African National Space Agency (SANSA) is set to strengthen its long-standing relationship with CPUT.

This week, SANSA CEO Dr Sandile Malinga visited the Bellville campus and met with Vice-Chancellor Prof Vuyisa Mazwi-Tanga and representatives from the French South African Technology Institute (F’SATI) to discuss future collaborations.

Malinga says the work in satellite engineering at F’SATI has been at the core of the relationship between the institutions.

During the past few years, SANSA has shown continued support for ZACUBE-1, a nanosatellite designed and constructed by postgraduate students and staff members at F’SATI. The satellite will be launched later this year and will carry a scientific experiment from SANSA Space Science Directorate in Hermanus.  

Malinga says he is impressed with operations at F’SATI and says CPUT, along with other higher education institutions, will play a key role in the implementation of the national space programme and contribute directly to the development of future satellites and missions.

Head of F’SATI, Prof Robert van Zyl says they are looking forward to a long-term partnership in space science research with SANSA for the benefit of the country and the scientific world.

Written by Candes Keating
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Provides coverage for the Engineering and Applied Sciences Faculties; the Bellville and Wellington Campuses, and research and innovation news.

Today (21 November) marks four years since the launch of CPUT’s TshepisoSAT (code-named ZACUBE-1) from Yasny Launch Base in Russia.

“At four years, ZACUBE-1 has far exceeded the average lifespan of a typical CubeSat, and demonstrates the unique capabilities of the CPUT satellite development team,” says Prof Robert van Zyl, Director of the French South African Institute of Technology (F’SATI) and the Africa Space Innovation Centre.The launch of TshepisoSAT was an historic event that has led to a cascade of developments spearheaded by the F’SATI

They include the development and marketing internationally of advanced CubeSat radio systems to an expanding customer base. More than a hundred such systems have been exported, many of which are currently deployed on CubeSats orbiting in space. Cutting-edge technologies for ship tracking and forest fire detection are also being developed by the team in partnerships with leading South African companies.

The F’SATI team is currently working on ZACUBE-2, which will be launched in May 2018. This mission is funded by the Department of Science and Technology and the South African National Space Agency, and will be the most advanced South African CubeSat to date. The satellite is a precursor mission for constellations of CubeSats that will provide maritime communications in support of Operation Phakisa. The satellite ground station on the roof of the DEECE building will be upgraded in preparation for the launch of ZACUBE-2.

CPUT is also recognised internationally as a hub for CubeSat development and operations. PlanetLabs, a US-based global player in the CubeSat industry, has recently contracted the university to provide ground support for its missions. PlanetLabs manages more than 200 CubeSats in space and requires ground support from stations dotting the globe. “The technical support we provide to PlanetLabs missions will provide fertile ground for learning. We’re also ensuring a third stream income for the university through providing services to industry,” says Van Zyl.

If you are interested in joining the dynamic F’SATI team, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. We offer undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate training in our state of the art laboratories.

Written by Abigail Calata

As the world commemorates 50 years since Yuri Gagarin became the first human being in outer space after his spacecraft completed an orbit of the Earth in April 1961, Russian cosmonaut and former Red Army test pilot, Valery Tokarev, visited CPUT's Bellville campus to mark the epic event. Tokarev is a guest of The South African National Space Agency (SANSA), who work closely with CPUT's very own French South African Institute of Technology.

Tokarev was a leading test pilot in Russia before becoming a cosmonaut. Praised by Russian and American astronauts and colleagues as “the man you'd want on your crew if you were flying to Mars”, his professional apex was reached in 2005, when he commanded the Soyuz spacecraft on Expedition 12. F'SATI's Operations Manager, Ian Van Zyl, says Tokarev's visit cements the reputation of CPUT and F'SATI as the country's breeding ground for the development of space scientists.

“F'SATI is fast becoming renowned for producing the human capital required for a sustainable, successful South African space industry. We're proud and honoured to be recognised as 'the space hub' of the Western Cape – and in turn, of South Africa. In the past there was a space programme at Stellenbosch University, but we are now the only university in the country that offers a post-graduate programme that is specifically space-related – training the country's future satellite engineers.”

Van Zyl concludes with an anecdote about a recent SANSA media briefing, held to publicise the efforts of the national space industry. He says journalists at the briefing were flabbergasted that such world-class research and innovation was emanating from CPUT. “Our message to the journalists was, yes, there is a university on the Cape Flats building satellites!”And training young South Africans to reach for the stars.

By Jan Weintrob 

Written by CPUT News
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CPUT is set to make history today with the launch of South Africa’s first nanosatellite, ZACUBE-1.

The nanosatellite will be launched this morning from the Yasny Launch Base in Russia, on top of a RS-2OB Dnepr rocket.

This historic event will be witnessed by a delegation of government officials, members of local and international industry and CPUT staff and students via a live audio-feed at a launch ceremony on the Bellville Campus.

BESPOKE: ZACUBE-1 contains over 4 000 electronic components and will travel more than 6 billion kilometers into space before deorbiting

The university will also be awarded the official licence for ZACUBE-1 from the South African Council for Space Affairs, which administers the country’s national register of space assets.

ZACUBE-1, which measures 10x10x10cm and weighs 1.2kg, was designed built by 40 postgraduate students following the Satellite Systems Engineering Programme offered at the university’s French South African Institute of Technology (F’SATI).

Despite its size, this nanosatellite has a very serious mission - it will provide valuable space weather data to the South African National Space Agency (SANSA) Space Science Directorate.

ZACUBE-1 contains one computer, several antennas, and 4,000 electronic components and runs on the same amount of power as a 3-watt bulb. It will orbit the earth up to 15 times a day and travel up to 6 billion kilometers before deorbiting.

The nanosatellite was sponsored by the Department of Science and Technology and CPUT and was built in collaboration with SANSA.

Written by Candes Keating
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Provides coverage for the Engineering and Applied Sciences Faculties; the Bellville and Wellington Campuses, and research and innovation news.

Cubesats are revolutionising access to space and have gone beyond being training tools for university students.

The success of Cubesat technology was celebrated at the 2nd International African Cubesat Workshop 2014, which was hosted by the French South African Technology Institute (F’SATI) on the Bellville Campus.

The two-day workshop was attended by students, academics, industry practitioners, government officials and members of the diplomatic core who discussed the latest developments in nanosatellite technology and applications.

The workshop also coincided with French Day, which celebrated collaborations between France and CPUT in the space sector.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic at CPUT, Prof Anthony Staak, says the workshop is of special significance to the institution as it approaches the first anniversary of the TshepisoSAT launch.

TshepisoSAT is the first Cubesat developed in Africa by postgraduate students at F’SATI and was launched on 21 November 2013. Its mission is to collect data on space weather for the South African National Space Agency (SANSA).

“We are extremely proud of this achievement. It’s certainly a tribute to Rob (Director of F’SATI) and his team, the students, the staff and many others who contributed to our satellite engineering programme,” says Staak.

Staak says CPUT has benefitted immensely from strong partnerships with a range of French Institutions through F’SATI, such as the Paris Chamber of Commerce, the French Embassy and various French universities.

RESEARCHER: Prof Norman Fitz-Coy, who holds the Research Chair in Innovative Small Satellite Technology and Applications for Africa at F’SATI

Locally, F’SATI has been funded by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and has been supported by the National Research Foundation and SANSA.

Humbulani Mdau, Chief Director: Space Science and Technology at DST, says they are very pleased with the strides made by F’SATI, adding that the launch of TshepisoSAT has put the country and the continent on the global map.

He says the concept of CubeSats has gained significance and the introduction of this technology is transforming the way we explore space.

Dr Sandile Malinga, the CEO of SANSA, echoed Mdua’s statements and says CubeSats are no longer just affordable student training tolls, but can be used for scientific applications.

Written by Candes Keating
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Provides coverage for the Engineering and Applied Sciences Faculties; the Bellville and Wellington Campuses, and research and innovation news.

Africa’s first nanosatellite, Tshepiso, is proving its worth in space.

During the past three months in orbit, the nanosatellite has survived the harsh radiation from the sun, extreme temperature fluctuations and most recently two close encounters with defunct Russian satellites.

Earlier this month United States Joint Space Operations Centre in California notified the South African National Space Agency (SANSA) that Tshepiso was on close approach with the COSMOS 2151 satellite over Antarctica. COSMOS 2151 was launched in 1991 and weighs a hefty 2 000kg, compared to CPUT’s satellite that weighs 1.2kg and measures 10x10x10cm.

Just two days later, Tshepiso faced another close encounter over Brazil, when the METEOR 2-5 satellite came within 85m of the nanosatellite.

There is nothing that can be done to alter the course or altitude of TshepisoSat as it has no propulsion control. And with the other satellites no longer functioning, they too cannot be controlled.

F’SATI’s Leon Steenkamp, who is monitoring Tshepiso’s daily movements, says during both incidents they were assisted by ground stations at the California Polytechnic State University and the University of Florida in the USA, who were able to listen to signals from Tshepiso during the two periods of close approach.

“The satellite appears unaffected by the two events and is operating as normal,” says Steenkamp.

Developed by F’SATI, the nanosatellite will study the propagation of radio waves through the ionosphere, providing valuable space weather data to the SANSA.

The nanosatellite was designed and built by 40 postgraduate students following the Satellite Systems Engineering Programme offered at F’SATI and was developed in collaboration with SANSA and with funding from the Department of Science and Technology, the National Research Foundation and CPUT.

For more information on the satellite, see www.cput.ac.za/blogs/fsati/

Written by Candes Keating
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Provides coverage for the Engineering and Applied Sciences Faculties; the Bellville and Wellington Campuses, and research and innovation news.

Africa’s first nanosatellite, Tshepiso, has been in space for just over three months and engineers are now preparing for its main mission.

The nanosatellite, developed by F’SATI, carries a high-frequency radio beacon that will be used to study the propagation of radio waves through the ionosphere, providing valuable space weather data to the South African National Space Agency (SANSA) Space Science Directorate.

F’SATI staff member Leon Steenkamp says the team of engineers are set to start the process of deploying the nanosatellite’s main antenna that is connected to the high-frequency radio beacon.

“For the past few weeks we have been gathering information in preparation for the mission. We are checking various things, from the temperature of the device to the battery voltage,” he says.

Since its launch in November, Steenkamp has been keeping a close eye on the nanosatellite and monitoring its daily activities from the F’SATI ground station on the Bellville Campus.

Tshepiso has been orbiting earth up to 15 times a day at an altitude of 600km. It also survived a strong solar storm earlier this year and has already transmitted images of South Africa which graced the pages of newspapers across the city.

PHOTOGRAPH: A picture taken by Tshepiso as it passed over South Africa

The nanosatellite was designed and built by 40 postgraduate students following the Satellite Systems Engineering Programme offered at F’SATI and was developed in collaboration with SANSA and with funding from the Department of Science and Technology, the National Research Foundation and CPUT.

Current postgraduate students are starting work on developing ZACUBE-2, a 3-unit CubeSat measuring 10x10x30 cm and weighing about 4kg.

ZACUBE-2 will be a continuation of the space weather experiment of the current ZACUBE-1(Tshepiso) mission.  

For up-to-date information on Tshepiso’s activities, visit F'SATI's website.

Written by Candes Keating
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Provides coverage for the Engineering and Applied Sciences Faculties; the Bellville and Wellington Campuses, and research and innovation news.

CPUT’s nano-satellite research has caught the attention of the Bavarian government and a recent symposium explored ways of leveraging this interest.

The symposium saw a delegation of Bavarian government officials and academics meeting their South African counterparts at CPUT’s Bellville campus to discuss nano-satellite Earth Observation Applications as Catalyst for International Collaboration as well as view the facilities at CPUT’s French South African Institute of Technology (F'SATI).

The partners in the collaboration are CPUT, F’SATI, Stellenbosch University, Cube Space, the South African Department of Science and Technology, the Bavarian government and universities, the National Research Foundation and the South African National Space Agency.

Dr John Volmink, CPUT’s Acting Vice-Chancellor, said Space Science Engineering and Technology is one of the university’s research focus areas.

Volmink added that the university’s satellite programme has been supported by the national government.

Prof Robert van Zyl, head of F’SATI at CPUT said marine protection and ocean governance is one of the four critical areas which were explored by the South African government to unlock the potential of the country’s vast coastline.

Amal Khatri, Executive Director at South African National Space Agency (SANSA) said low-cost satellites are more viable and have better access to funding.

“There is a need to invest in nano-satellites,” added Khatri.

Written by Kwanele Butana
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The Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) and Department of Defence (DoD) together with the South African National Space Agency (SANSA) and Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) recently visited CPUT.

The visit was a fact-finding mission to assess the state of the African Space Innovation Centre’s capability and potential to provide satellite and Information and Communications Technology (ICT) short courses to the defence department.

Vice-Chancellor, Prof Chris Nhlapo, who welcomed the high-level delegation says the well-organised event “was very successful” and that CPUT is already a major player in space and the building of nanosatellites. “Therefore, CPUT will have an opportunity to contribute and exhibit her prowess to many stakeholders and a broader platform for the benefit of the Republic of South Africa,” Nhlapo boasts.

Prof Veruscha Fester: Assistant Dean: Research, Technology, Innovation and Partnerships, Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, Dr Angus Brandt and Chief Engineer, Nyameko Royi provided an overview of activities in African Space Innovation Centre (ASIC) and Royi later facilitated a tour of the space facilities.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Technology Innovation and Partnerships, Dr David Phaho, who outlined CPUT’ sustainability plans for ASIC, was impressed by the interest shown by DoD brass to “our Research, Innovation” as well as training in the Space Science and Technology Initiatives. “The appreciation they showed to CPUT as an engaged university focusing on the needs of society is noted,” Phaho observes.

He continues: “We regard ASIC/F’Sati as a continental flagship programme hence management has committed resources (human resources, equipment) to ensure sustainability as well as overall transformation of the emerging space industry by training students who reflect the country’s demographics.”

In his observation, Humbulani Mudau, Chief Director: Space Science and Technology, Department of Science and Innovation says the University shared their impressive achievements with the visitors. “The University produced seventy-four satellite engineers from all over the continent with 43% as South Africans over a period of twelve years and five satellites from 2009 to 2021, one launched in 2013, the other one in December 2018 and constellation of three launched in January 2022,” Mudau remarks. He adds that in the current cycle the University admitted 58 students with 81% being South Africans.

“We achieved the purpose of the visit, since Dr Phaho also shared the future plans to sustain the ASIC,” he says.

In his remarks, Brigadier General Lance Mathebula voiced his happiness with the CPUT visit and said their mission was to see how CPUT can assist his department in making sure “that we can have our people that are qualified in air and space”. “We prefer to start with short courses first to improve their skills before they start with long courses.”

Reflecting on the event, Phaho says: “It was a high-level delegation who are aware of our footprint in the space sector. They showed an interest in working with CPUT in advancing the sector in the greater national interest.”

Written by Aphiwe Boyce
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CPUT is expected to launch the first South African mini-constellation of three satellites for Maritime Domain Awareness (MDASat-1) towards the end of 2021.

This mission, named MDASat-1, will use Automatic Identification System (AIS) data to monitor the waters off South Africa’s coast for shipping movements within our Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).  AIS is a radio system used for the tracking of maritime traffic, primarily for collision avoidance.  The location messages received by the satellites from ships on the ocean beneath it is downloaded from the satellite when it passes over the ground station at CPUT. 

The data gathered by the mission will typically be used by the South African (SA) government to contribute to the effective management of the SA territorial waters. An important development is that SA will now possess the home-grown capability and know-how to acquire this vital information and will not be solely dependent on foreign companies for this data.

The development of the MDASat-1 mission is well underway, with a team of 12 engineering graduates from the French South African Institute of Technology (F’SATI) at the CPUT programme making excellent progress. Qualification testing of the Engineering Qualification  Model has been completed and the team is currently busy with the assembly of the three flight models. Each satellite carries an improved version of the AIS receiver.

CPUT has already produced two satellites that were launched successfully in 2013 and 2018, respectively named ZACube-1 and ZACube-2. The data from MDASat-1 will augment that already received by ZACube-2.  The university identified Space Science and Technology as one of its strategic Research Focus Areas. Prof Robert van Zyl is the head of the Africa Space Innovation Centre, as well as the local node of F’SATI. The Centre is hosted by F’SATI and its emphasis is on postgraduate research and innovation that relates specifically to nanosatellite technology, and innovation that produces commercially viable nanosatellite communications subsystems that are marketed to the international CubeSat community.

CPUT’s next mission and the most advanced to date will see three nanosatellites placed in orbit for the purpose of Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA), in line with the endeavours of the South African Government’s Operation Phakisa.

Van Zyl says: “MDASat-1 (which will be the country’s first mini-constellation) is a major achievement and milestone for CPUT, South Africa and the continent as a whole, not only providing strategically significant vessel tracking data to the government but also developing skills and advanced technologies.

“I am very proud of the CPUT students and staff who work hard to grow the South African space industry for the good of its people.  We express our appreciation to the Department of Science and Innovation which has funded this wonderful programme since its inception in 2008.”

CPUT, with the continued financial support from the Department of Science and Innovation and its agencies, the South African National Space Agency and the Technology Innovation Agency, has been successful in producing state-of-the-art satellite missions. “With the additional support from the National Research Foundation, we have also produced more than 65 Master’s and Doctoral graduates over the course of a decade,” Van Zyl remarks.

Written by Aphiwe Boyce
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To succeed you must know yourself, have the right skills, develop knowledge and make the right decisions.

This was the mantra of Dr Valanthan Munsami, CEO of the South African National Space Agency (SANSA), who was the keynote speaker at the final Faculty of Engineering graduation ceremony.

Munsami says although graduates have acquired a set of specific skills, they will now have to create a knowledge base by obtaining the necessary experience. He urged graduates to do this by looking for new avenues of learning and by exposing themselves to different opportunities.

“One of the most valuable things that I have learnt in my career is by listening. By listening you accumulate knowledge,” he says.

He also urged the graduating class to build a brand and one that represents excellence.

One such graduate, who is already building a brand, is Sosibo Nhlanhla, who was honoured for his academic achievements during the ceremony.

Nhlanhla, who obtained a National Diploma in Maritime Studies, was awarded the coveted Dean’s Medal. He achieved distinctions in all 31 of his subjects, boasting an impressive average of 86.6 %.

Written by Candes Keating
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Provides coverage for the Engineering and Applied Sciences Faculties; the Bellville and Wellington Campuses, and research and innovation news.

To kick off their roadshow, Board members of the South African National Space Agency (SANSA) visited the Bellville Campus recently to learn more about the pioneering work done by the CPUT Space Programme.

Vice-Chancellor, Prof Chris Nhlapho, said space engineering is a field in which CPUT wants to be a big player for the development of not only the continent but the world. Nhlapo added that a spinoff company, have emerged from the university’s initiatives.

Launched in 2018, AMAYA Space is CPUT’s own space company which aims to become the first fully-represented South African space enterprise.

SANSA board chairperson Xoliswa Kekana said CPUT is the first institution to be visited by the seven-month-old board because of the university’s work in the space engineering discipline.

Kekana added that SANSA was in the process of defining a strategy for the agency.

“We are spending two days in Cape Town so as to understand this area of space,” she said. “And we look to CPUT.”

SANSA CEO, Dr Val Munsami, said CPUT has been identified as Africa’s hub for space engineering.

To indicate how crucial CPUT’s role is in space engineering F’SATI director, Prof Robert Van Zyl, said the university is mentioned between 15 to 20 times in the national Department of Science and Technology’s Strategic Plan.

Van Zyl added that CPUT has been selected as part of Pan African University (PAU) network on the basis of excellence of its Space Programme. Officially launched in 2011, the PAU is a postgraduate training and research network of university nodes that are supported by the African Union.

The network aims to provide opportunities for advanced graduate training and postgraduate research to high-performing African students.

Van Zyl and Francois Visser took the board members on a tour of the labs. They were also shown the qualification mode of ZACube-2, which Van Zyl said having it makes testing the cube satellite easy.

Written by Kwanele Butana

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For over a decade, CPUT has formed part of World Space Week, a global celebration of science and technology, and their impact to the advancement of the human condition.

World Space Week is managed by the United Nations with the assistance of the World Space Week Association (WSWA). The WSWA steers a world-wide team of national coordinators, who promote the celebration of World Space Week within their own countries. The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed in 1999 that World Space Week will be held each year from October 4-10. The theme of World Space Week 2021 is . These dates commemorate two events:

• 4 October 1957: Launch of the first human-made Earth satellite, Sputnik 1, thus lead-in the way for space study.
• 10 October 1967: The signing of the Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies.

On its part, CPUT hosts the Africa’s leading nano-satellite programme, which has developed Africa’s first nanosatellite, ZACUBE-1. On 21 November 2013, CPUT made history with the launch of South Africa’s first CubeSat, a type of nanosatellite, ZACUBE-1. This was retitled as Tshepiso and it was atop an RS-2OB rocket (Dnepr) at Yasny launch base in Russia and sometime after 9am it made its first track over South Africa. Around 12pm the Ground Station at CPUT had accomplished its first connection with the nanosatellite.

Financed by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), the satellite was invented and manufactured by postgraduate students following the CubeSat Programme at the French South African Institute of Technology (F’SATI) at CPUT which was established at CPUT in 2008 as the second node of the institution in South Africa in collaboration with South African National Space Agency (SANSA). 

This programme is purposefully associated with the National Space Strategy and is also funded as a crucial human resource development programme by the National Research Foundation (NRF).

CPUT admirably released the ZACube-2 on 27 December 2018 from the Soyuz-2.1a carrier rocket, transmitting nanosatellites from South Africa, the United States, Spain, and Germany from Baikonur East in Serbia. The ZACube-2 is three times the size of its predecessor and inspects marine traffic along the South African coast and supply Operation Phakisa objectives.

Furthermore, in December, CPUT will launch the first South African constellation of three satellites for Maritime Domain Awareness.

The mission, named MDASat-1 will be CPUT’s third satellite mission, following on ZACube-1’s (TshepisoSat) and ZACube-2’s successful development operations.  The outgoing head of the Africa Space Innovation Centre, as well as the local node of F’SATI, Prof Robert van Zyl previously said the MDASat-1 will use Automatic Identification System (AIS) data to monitor ship movements within South Africa’s Exclusive Economic Zone.

Written by Aphiwe Boyce
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