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CSIR Satellite Applications Centre

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6. CSIR Satellite Applications Centre

Be it a launch into space, orbit testing, routine health checks or emergency support especially in cases of a natural disaster, such as the tsunami, the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)'s Satellite Application Centre (SAC) provides scientific and technical support to satellite operators.

The SAC also acts as a satellite imagery reception station for the South African and regional spatial community. Satellite imagery is captured, processed and archived, after which various applications (to address developmental issues such as land use management, fire monitoring and prediction, urban and rural planning and food security) are developed, based on user requirements. The Centre, resident within the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and situated at Hartebeeshoek, also provides technical support for space policy formulation and implementation processes, both in South Africa and abroad.

The Centre has a strategic business relationship with Government, space agencies, tertiary education institutes, private sector, space science organisations and civil society.

Mothibi Ramusi, SAC Manager at the CSIR.

The Satellite Application Centre has undertaken projects such as the support launch of the recent CASSINI - Huygens spacecraft mission and still continue to provide support to numerous other satellite missions. It has also contributed to the development of the Advanced Fire Information System, an innovative product that monitors areas on fire in near real-time. Places as far away as Bujumbura in Burundi are monitored every 15 minutes and emergency alerts are sent through short message service to identified fire departments in the area(s) for rapid response. The project is a response to challenges highlighted through the World Summit for Sustainable Development (WSSD) resolutions, formulated in 2002.

"It is our strategic intension to provide leadership in space science matters in the African region and develop applications that will contribute to sustainable development," says Mothibi Ramusi, Centre Manager. "We will also make sure that we continue to support regional initiatives, such as the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) in the field of science and technology, space, agriculture, environment, safety and security and disaster management."

In support of recent achievements by the Group on Earth Observations, the The CSIR Applications Centre (SAC) [Image courtesy of SAC]. CSIR is co-ordinating an integrated team led by the Satellite Application Centre, to provide leadership and support for the implementation of GEOSS (Global Earth Observation System of Systems) - another recommendation from the WSSD.

"Our contributions will be focused on capacity building, applications development, research and development and infrastructure design and build," says Ramusi.

The CSIR Applications Centre (SAC) [Image courtesy of SAC].

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Department: Science and Technology, South Africa

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CSIR Satellite Applications Centre