* Astronomy

South Africa hopes to launch its second satellite before the end of next year according to the Science and Technology Minister Mosibudi Mangena.
The ministry is initiating a three-year integrated capacity building and satellite development project.

The 26 million rand joint effort between The south African ministry, Stellenbosch University, SunSpace and Information Systems (Pty) Ltd, and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research's (CSIR) Satellite Application Center (SAC) would result in an increase in satellite engineering capacity and the production of a mission-ready Low-Earth-Observation (LEO) satellite.

The university would be responsible for managing the project, the associated post-graduate training and scientific research in aspects of satellite engineering, and software development.
The university had also subcontracted services from SunSpace to build the satellite, and the SAC for satellite tracking and monitoring operations.
The new LEO satellite would serve as a research vehicle capable of supporting disaster management, food security, health, infrastructure, land use, safety and security, water resource management, and stimulation of greater innovation through the creation of high value products and services.

The university is currently negotiating with international launch companies for the launch of the satellite, which was planned to take place during the second half of 2006.
Most likely it will be a Russian launch, either from land or a submarine, and will be missile-based.
The South African ministry views this as the beginning of a long-term space program and establishing a South African space agency.

"We are further committing ourselves to working closely with other government departments to support the development of a vibrant space industry in South Africa. This program needs to be expanded to bring in other partners, both in academia and industry, with specific opportunities targeted at black economic empowerment" - Mosibudi Mangena.

Stellenbosch University Rector Professor Chris Brink said the project was high-tech, requiring scientific and engineering knowledge of the highest order.

"Our engineers at Stellenbosch University, and our spin-off company SunSpace, have already proven their expertise in this regard by building and launching Africa's first satellite in 1999. We are now adding several extra dimensions" - Chris Brink.

South Africa's first satellite, Sunsat, was also developed by Stellenbosch University and successfully launched by the United States space agency, NASA, in February 1999.