* Astronomy

Blobrana · L

RE: Sumbandila satellite

Blobrana · L

South African satellite launch likely to be held back yet another month
It looks as if the launch of South Africas R26-million Sumbandila microsatellite (SumbandilaSat) will now take place on or around September 14 or September 15, and not on or around August 20, as previously hoped. The new likely launch dates have not, it seems, been officially communicated to the South African Department of Science and Technology yet.

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Blobrana · L

SA govt expects Sumbandila satellite launch in weeks
Science and Technology Minister Naledi Pandor has confirmed that the South African government expects the countrys Sumbandila microsatellite (SumbandilaSat) to be launched next month.

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Blobrana · L

It is reported from Russia that the country's space agency, Roscosmos, is confident that there will be no further delays in the launch of South Africa's Sumbandila satellite. The R26-million SumbandilaSat, as it is known, is currently assigned a launch window around August 20.
It is already at Russia's Baikonur Cosmodrome, awaiting the arrival of the primary payload for its launch rocket. Sumbandila will be one of two satellites to be launched together, with the South African spacecraft being the secondary payload. The primary payload is a Russian Meteor M meteorological satellite. Their launch vehicle, a Soyuz rocket, is now also at Baikonur.

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Blobrana · L

South Africa's R26-million Sumbandila microsatellite is due to arrive at Russia's Baikonur Cosmodrome on Wednesday, June 17.
The microsatellite is already safely in Russia, but has still to be transported to the world-renowned Cosmodrome, birthplace of the space age, which is actually located in Kazakhstan (the launch complex is leased and operated by Russia).
The rocket that will carry SumbandilaSat into orbit, as the second and smaller of two payloads, is already at Baikonur. The launch is still pencilled in for August 20.

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Blobrana · L

Second South African Satellite Finally On Its Way
The South African Department of Science and Technology (DST's) Sumbandila satellite is to leave South Africa for Russia this week in preparation for its launch by Russias space agency in August.
After arrival in Russia next week, the small satellite is to be incorporated into the Soyuz launch vehicle, where it is will be fired into space around August 20 along with a Russian Meteor M weather satellite.

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Blobrana · L

SumbandilaSat

Blobrana · L

RE: Sumbandila satellite

Blobrana · L

A Russian delegation is due in South Africa in the near future to discuss an alternative launch option for South Africas Sumbandila satellite.
Sumbandila-Sat was originally meant to have been launched last year from a Russian submarine. However, the Russian Ministry of Defence refused to authorise the launch. Russias civilian space agency, Roskosmos, nevertheless wishes to honour its agreement with South Africa to launch the satellite.

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Blobrana · L

The department of science and technology is so fed up with Russia's refusal to launch South Africa's R26 million civilian satellite, Sumbandila, that it could turn to launch partners from India or China.
This could be the beginning of a diplomatic row between South Africa and Russia after Russia's defence ministry allegedly refused to conduct the launch, claiming the SA National Defence Force had refused to use its satellite.

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