SA to return to space: Pandor
(Defense Web) February 23, 2010, By Leon Engelbrecht
Science and Technology Minister Naledi Pandor says her department is looking at the possibility of reactivating and re-establishing space rocket launch facilities in South Africa, confirming a statement by an official in Parliament last year. Nomfuneko Majaja, the government`s Chief Director Advanced Manufacturing Space Affairs at the Department of Trade and Industry told the National Assembly last July that "it was hoped that SA would be in a position to be a launching state in five to ten years time." Pandor was speaking at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research's (CSIR) Satellite Applications Centre (SAC) at Hartebeeshoek, west of Pretoria, at an event at which a live video feed from South Africa’s SumbandilaSat microsatellite was publicly shown for the first time, the Engineering News and other media this morning reports. “We intend to strengthen the technological and space skills in South Africa,” Pandor said. “Sumbandila is a very significant development for us. Our new satellite provides us with a number of cost and competitive advantages.” Pandor added SA has previously spent more than R60 million a year buying images from other satellite owners.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Global space business leaders to converge in Dubai for inaugural World Space Risk Forum
Global space business leaders to converge in Dubai for inaugural World Space Risk Forum
(Business Intelligence Middle East) February 23, 2010
UAE. The World Space Risk Forum, a bi-annual conference that brings together professionals in the space business, will be held, in association with the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), in Dubai from 1 - 3 March 2010. Over 280 delegates, 85% of whom are from overseas, will come together at the forum to exchange ideas on space risk management and insurance. Delegates attending the event will include CEOs and CFOs of satellite manufacturers, satellite operators and launch service providers, in addition to all the major global insurance brokers and underwriter companies. Over the course of the three day forum, they will discuss key topics such as Technical Developments in the Space Industry; Impact of the Global Economy on the Space Industry; Legal and Regulatory Environment within the Space Industry; and the outlook for the sector over the next three decades.
(Business Intelligence Middle East) February 23, 2010
UAE. The World Space Risk Forum, a bi-annual conference that brings together professionals in the space business, will be held, in association with the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), in Dubai from 1 - 3 March 2010. Over 280 delegates, 85% of whom are from overseas, will come together at the forum to exchange ideas on space risk management and insurance. Delegates attending the event will include CEOs and CFOs of satellite manufacturers, satellite operators and launch service providers, in addition to all the major global insurance brokers and underwriter companies. Over the course of the three day forum, they will discuss key topics such as Technical Developments in the Space Industry; Impact of the Global Economy on the Space Industry; Legal and Regulatory Environment within the Space Industry; and the outlook for the sector over the next three decades.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Bolivia to create space program, launch satellite
(Washington Post) February 10, 2010
Bolivia says it has created a space agency to build and launch the poor South American country's first satellite. Public Works Minister Walter Delgadillo Terceros says the government will initially invest $1 million in the Bolivian Space Agency. He says Chinese experts have arrived in the country to take charge of the satellite's construction and launch. Construction of the third-generation DFH-4 satellite is slated to begin in March. The satellite will be named Tupac Katari, after an Aymara Indian who led indigenous rebellions against the Spanish colonial government in the 16th century.
Monday, February 8, 2010
SES to Develop Orbital Slot for Andean Nations
(Space News) February 8, 2010, By Peter B. de Selding
Satellite fleet operator SES of Luxembourg will move an in-orbit satellite to an orbital slot over South America by September to preserve access rights there held by the Andean Community of Nations in South America SES announced Feb. 8. In return for placing a satellite at the slot before the September deadline set by international frequency regulators, SES has secured a long-term agreement with the Andean nations to develop the slot. SES spokesman Yves Feltes said the company had not decided which satellite would be moved to 67 degrees west longitude. The Andean slot, which has been the subject of numerous debates among regulators at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has been reserved for Ku-band frequencies and has a good angle of view on the Americas and the Caribbean.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Iran launches space probe
Tehran has successfully launched a probe into space - with two turtles, a hamster and a worm on board. The Islamic republic also plans to unveil three new satellites on Wednesday - all part its ambitious independent space programme - which coincides with celebrations of the country's 31st Islamic revolution anniversary. The development is a great concern to the US who fears that the country's nuclear programme is at a threateningly advanced stage. Some experts think the Iranian nuclear programme and space programme are linked.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Bulgogi goes into space
Bulgogi goes into space
(Straits Times) February 2, 2010
Astronauts could soon be eating seaweed soup and spicy, garlic-laden meat dishes after South Korea won approval to send several national dishes into space. The science and technology ministry said a prestigious Russian laboratory has approved ready-to-eat bulgogi, bibimbap, seaweed soup and mulberry juice as suitable fare for astronauts. Bulgogi is a flavoured beef dish and bibimbap is a mixture of rice, meat and vegetables, infused with chilli and garlic. The ministry said the approval came this month from the Institute of Biomedical Problems, part of the Russian Academy of Sciences, following tests. 'The tests showed the foods helped improved digestion and allowed the growth of beneficial micro-organisms in the intestines,' a statement said. The move to send the dishes into space is the latest step in a campaign to promote South Korean food around the world. South Korea has already sent its iconic national dish kimchi - pickled cabbage soaked in chilli and garlic - into orbit along with its first astronaut, aboard a Russian launch vehicle in April 2008. She shared the potent mixture with the crew of the International Space Station.
(Straits Times) February 2, 2010
Astronauts could soon be eating seaweed soup and spicy, garlic-laden meat dishes after South Korea won approval to send several national dishes into space. The science and technology ministry said a prestigious Russian laboratory has approved ready-to-eat bulgogi, bibimbap, seaweed soup and mulberry juice as suitable fare for astronauts. Bulgogi is a flavoured beef dish and bibimbap is a mixture of rice, meat and vegetables, infused with chilli and garlic. The ministry said the approval came this month from the Institute of Biomedical Problems, part of the Russian Academy of Sciences, following tests. 'The tests showed the foods helped improved digestion and allowed the growth of beneficial micro-organisms in the intestines,' a statement said. The move to send the dishes into space is the latest step in a campaign to promote South Korean food around the world. South Korea has already sent its iconic national dish kimchi - pickled cabbage soaked in chilli and garlic - into orbit along with its first astronaut, aboard a Russian launch vehicle in April 2008. She shared the potent mixture with the crew of the International Space Station.
Malaysia Can Become Global Player in Space-Based Technologies
Malaysia Can Become Global Player in Space-Based Technologies
(Bernama) February 2, 2010, By R.Ravichandran
Malaysia which is a small player in the space industry can become a global player in space-based technologies through innovation by setting up data processing centres, said Dr Harold J. Raveche, president of the privately-run United States-based Stevens Institute of Technology. He said this was possible by Malaysia venturing into making arrangements to buy data, information and images from space players having satellites like the United States, Russia, China, European Union countries and others and establish data processing centres in this country to process these materials which could then be sold to other countries. Dr Raveche said that despite satellites also being used for sensitive purposes such as for defence and security, there was also much non-sensitive data collected, which could be bought through proper arrangements and reprocessed using innovation for sale to other countries. "There is no need for Malaysia to spend huge sums of money for space technologies...through innovation, Malaysia can process and develop data for multiple uses namely humanitarian, civil and commercial applications," he told Bernama in an interview here today.
(Bernama) February 2, 2010, By R.Ravichandran
Malaysia which is a small player in the space industry can become a global player in space-based technologies through innovation by setting up data processing centres, said Dr Harold J. Raveche, president of the privately-run United States-based Stevens Institute of Technology. He said this was possible by Malaysia venturing into making arrangements to buy data, information and images from space players having satellites like the United States, Russia, China, European Union countries and others and establish data processing centres in this country to process these materials which could then be sold to other countries. Dr Raveche said that despite satellites also being used for sensitive purposes such as for defence and security, there was also much non-sensitive data collected, which could be bought through proper arrangements and reprocessed using innovation for sale to other countries. "There is no need for Malaysia to spend huge sums of money for space technologies...through innovation, Malaysia can process and develop data for multiple uses namely humanitarian, civil and commercial applications," he told Bernama in an interview here today.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Iran to unveil five space projects
Iran to unveil five space projects
(RIA Novosti) February 1, 2010
Iran will unveil five space projects at ceremonies starting on Monday to celebrate the victory of the Islamic Revolution of 1979, Fars news agency said. On the third day of the festivities, known as the "Ten Days of Dawn", Iranian authorities will hold on Wednesday a presentation of the Tolou (Rise) satellite, the Mesbah-2 and Mehdi research satellites, and the engine for the Simurgh booster rocket, all of which were domestically built. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and the country's defense officials will also attend the opening of a mission control designed to process data from the satellites.
(RIA Novosti) February 1, 2010
Iran will unveil five space projects at ceremonies starting on Monday to celebrate the victory of the Islamic Revolution of 1979, Fars news agency said. On the third day of the festivities, known as the "Ten Days of Dawn", Iranian authorities will hold on Wednesday a presentation of the Tolou (Rise) satellite, the Mesbah-2 and Mehdi research satellites, and the engine for the Simurgh booster rocket, all of which were domestically built. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and the country's defense officials will also attend the opening of a mission control designed to process data from the satellites.
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