African Space Leadership Institute’s Post

Today, at the ongoing Global Space Policy (GSP) course, Dr Namrata Goswami delivered a lecture on Fundamentals of Space Policymaking. The lecture was followed by a simulation exercise, where a session of the African Space Council (#ASC) in Egypt's Space City, had to decide on three top priority areas for the African Space Agency (#AfSA), towards meeting the goals of sustainable development of space activities and the African Union Agenda 2063. Participants then made presentations, responding to the ff. questions: (1) What are the three core space technologies that the AfSA should prioritise, mid-term (2035) and long-term (2063)? How should the ASC advise and plan in this regard? (2) What kind of funding will be required and what regulations are needed to bolster this development? (3) What will be the role of commercial space in Africa and how can the AfSA encourage this? (4) Since international collaboration is key, which country representative (U.S., China, India) offers the best approach to Africa's space development? Which countries (U.S., China, India) should ASC prioritise in terms of space cooperation and development of technologies? (5) What should be the African Space Agency’s position regarding the UN Resolution 75/36 to ensure responsible behaviour in space and limit militarisation and anti-satellite weapon tests? Thanks Toyosi Olaniyan for providing support for the simulation exercise. For a peep into the 3-hour lecture, pls see Dr. Goswami's article: https://lnkd.in/e2BPmMgJ

Just concluded a three day conference on Kenya Space Expo at Edge convention in Nairobi. Key points discused were. 1. Earth observation and application. Explore and showcase the use of remote sensing and Geospatial information systems in Agriculture, climate action, natural resource management and urban development to support decision making. 2. Space Science. Discus the global challenge of space weather and its impact on human safety and vital infrastructure on Earth and in space such as communications, power navigation and positioning systems. 3. Space system Engineering. Discus how emerging technologies and innovation can further enhance the utility of satellite systems in addressing societal needs and explore Kenya’s potential as a key player in Africa’s space industry. 4. Space policy, Legal and Regulatory Framework. Discus space governance frameworks and explore the evolving landscape of the global space industry with the increased involvement of private sector and discuss the role of space agencies in the new era of space exploration and commercialisation.

Working to Better Society with Space Exploration 🌍🚀 Space exploration and the resulting technology can have a significant impact on the continent. Space-based products and services can offer solutions to challenges facing Africa, such as space related applications already widely in use in the agricultural sector. The agency that is mandated to promote space exploration in South Africa is the South African National Space Agency (SANSA), located in Hermanus, Western Cape. SANSA is an entity of the Department of Science and Innovation and works to promote the use of space in South Africa, foster space research, and to strengthen cooperation in space related activities. SANSA was created in 2010 to promote the use of space and strengthen cooperation in space related activities. The agency aims to foster research in space science, advance scientific engineering through developing human capital, and support industrial development in space technologies. For more information, read the full article from the latest edition here: https://hubs.la/Q02wMK3J0 #Space #Technology #Innovation #PublicSectorLeaders #Publication #TopcoMedia

++ #Ghana Launches First Space Science Policy, Pioneering Regional Leadership in Space Technology ++ Honorable Ophelia Mensah-Hayford, Minister for Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation (MESTI) introduced Ghana’s first Space Science Policy during an influential stakeholder meeting in the MESTI conference room. The event, attended by key players from government bodies, educational institutions, private sector organizations, and international space agencies, marked a historic step forward in Ghana’s scientific and technological landscape. "Space science is no longer a distant ambition but a reality that can drive transformative development and economic growth in Ghana." – Honorable Ophelia Mensah-Hayford, Minister for Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation (MESTI) #techafricanews #africa #ghana #space #science #policy #private #sector #organizations #scientific #technological #landscape

I want to go to space 🚀. There, far away, yet so near. Among the stars and yonder. I wonder what lies there, in the infinite vast space? and can our ephemeral humanity use the heavens to the benefit of Earth 🌍? But how can I go to space? How can I participate in the frontier of space, when I am so tiny in the universe, from a small African country with a baby space Agency? One must start somewhere. And space policy development is a fundamental place to start. For Africa, a continent that seeks to address critical challenges and attain its Agenda2063 (African Union), space exploration has never been more important. As such, there is an over-arching need to leverage global space agenda. Gladly, schools like African Space Leadership Institute have rolled up their sleeves, to prepare its curious space enthusiasts on policy development. I am delighted to have participated in the 5-weeks course on African Space Policy and Strategy. In the course, we shared insights with scientists, lawyers, astronomers, and business experts. Thank you to African Space Leadership Institute for organizing the program, and to experts like, Etim Offiong, Valanathan Munsami, Natasha V., Paul Baki, Taiwo TEJUMOLA,Lami Omale, Anastasia Gbem, D.SC, LL.M, and other stakeholders in business and space affairs. (African Development Bank Group, Kenya Space Agency) #sustainablespace #AfricaInSpace

“Innovation is our ability as human beings to do something new” 🆕 🚀 but “not only as individuals but collectively as a species, to explore the unknown, the unclaimed, the Final Frontier : Space 🪐” It was a pleasure to attend Europlanet Society’s Space Innovation Night (ESPIN) at Freie Universität Berlin on Tuesday, Europe’s largest congress on Planetology. 🪐 #EPSC2024 #Europlanet #Space #NewSpace The excellent panel reflected on the role of innovation and its impact on the exponential rise of the NewSpace industry in Germany 🇩🇪 and Europe 🇪🇺 in particular. Here are a few takes from this talk: • Dr Noel C. Baker, Ph.D. explains that Innovation means to see things with a new lense and that NewSpace has come with the democratisation of the access to Space. • Tobias Bohnhardt teaches kids across Germany to “reach out to the stars ✨” and organized the largest science show in the world with 16.000 children attending. • Prof. Nigel J Mason reminds us that Risk comes with Innovation and tells his students to not be afraid of doing something new and be part of the history of humanity. • Irene Selvanathan calls to reinvent different approaches and make rovers available on the market, as well as budgeting space debris to foster a sustainable Space. • Dr Yannis Zouganelis reminds us that “Old Space” has a good 50 year record of Innovation and that European Space Agency - ESA is never afraid of taking new risks.

The U.S.-New Zealand Space Dialogue marks a significant step in strengthening space cooperation between the two nations. This collaboration focuses on commercial space growth, policy, scientific education, and sustainable practices in space. The dialogue not only reinforces bilateral ties but also sets the groundwork for future scientific and commercial partnerships.   A New Frontier in U.S. #commercialspacecooperation #commercialspaceregulation #internationalspacetreaties #MethaneSATmission #NASANewZealandpartnership #orbitallaunchcadence #spaceindustrycollaboration #spacepolicyinteroperability #spacesituationalawareness #UnitedNationsspacecooperation

🚀🌍 𝗦𝘄𝗶𝘀𝘀 𝗦𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗦𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗗𝗮𝘆𝘀: 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗯𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘀! 🌍🚀 𝗘𝗱𝗶𝘁: 𝗘𝗫𝗧𝗘𝗡𝗗𝗘𝗗 𝗗𝗘𝗔𝗗𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗘! 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗹 𝗡𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟳, 𝟭𝟭:𝟱𝟵 𝗣𝗠, 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝘂𝗯𝗺𝗶𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗮𝗯𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁.  ̷D̷e̷a̷d̷l̷i̷n̷e̷:̷ ̷O̷c̷t̷ ̷3̷1̷,̷ ̷2̷0̷2̷4̷.̷. We are pleased to invite abstract submissions for the three broad pillars: 1 - Sustainability from Space: Utilizing space as a platform to tackle global challenges. 2 - Sustainability in Space: Recognizing space as a resource for preservation, exploitation, and exploration. 3 - Sustainability for Space: Safeguarding our terrestrial environment from the impacts of space activities. Key topics of discussion will include: • The impact of space activities on Earth and space environments • Technologies that promote space sustainability • Leveraging space technologies for Earth sustainability • Space weather implications on sustainability • Effects of space activities on astronomy (Dark and Quiet Skies) • Legal, ethical, and economic considerations for space sustainability We are thrilled to feature confirmed speakers such as: Ludovic Monnerat (Swiss Armed Forces) Emmanuelle David (eSpace - EPFL Space Center) Lucia Kleint (University of Bern) Prof. Jean-Paul Kneib (EPFL) Join us in shaping the future of sustainable space exploration and collaboration! 👉 For more details and to submit your abstract, visit: https://lnkd.in/e-hxqDHQ #SpaceSustainability

Planetary and Space Science in Africa is still underdeveloped despite recent surge in related activities. This paper published on December 20, 2023 by our faculty member Dr. Marian Selorm Sapah Selorm Sapah explains that this is largely due to a lack of interest and investment in the field. She further proposed three steps to improve the level of formal Planetary and Space Science education in Africa. The article concludes with an outline of measures needed to advance the cause of planetary and space science workforce in Africa. Read more via || https://rb.gy/v443jq #EarthScienceUG #DESResearch