South Africa: A number of Satellite Sensor Centres of Competence will be set up under the aegis of new South African National Space Agency (Sansa), according to Naledi Pandor, Science and Technology Minister. “First of these will be set up during the first half of next year,” she said.
“We have decided to establish a Centre of Competence on optronics and synthetic aperture radar (SAR). It will be called the Satellite Sensor Centre of Competence,” she revealed.
This Centre of Competence will have three main functions. Firstly, it will give sustainable, quality, optronics and data support to South African industry, “in terms of innovative and qualified human resources at all levels.” Secondly, it will implement “innovative technology methods and management at all levels of the satellite sensor value chain.” Thirdly, it will develop technology in cooperative and coordinated programmes, to create new and innovative products.
It has not yet been decided where the Satellite Sensor Centre of Competence will be located. The Department of Science and Technology is in talks with a number of local research institutions and universities about hosting it.
Source: www.engineeringnews.co.za
