space Archives

Egypt to host African Space Agency — Quartz Africa

15/02/2019 News

After decades of playing catch-up, the African Union (AU) is doubling down on plans to join the global space race.

The AU passed legislation to establish the African Space Agency in 2017 and has just approved Egypt as host country for the headquarters of the new agency.

Egypt’s bid to host the agency topped similar proposals from Nigeria and Ethiopia (already home to a multimillion-dollar space observatory and research center.) A late bid by Ghana was not considered while the Namibia withdrew its bid from consideration.

One of the AU’s objectives for the space agency is minimizing the ”duplication of resources and efforts” and, in turn, maximizing “the benefits of current and planned space activities,” according to the draft statute establishing the agency. Put another way,…

Egypt to Host African Space Agency’s Headquarters – Foreign Ministry

08/02/2019 News

CAIRO (Sputnik) – Egypt has won the bid to host the headquarters of the African Space Agency, with the decision due to be endorsed at the next week’s African Union (AU) summit in the Ethiopian capital, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry announced on 8 February.

“In the competitive struggle, Egypt obtained the right to host the headquarters of the African Space Agency. The decision was made by the Executive Council of the African Union, and will be endorsed by the African leaders at the February 11 summit”, the ministry said in a statement.

The statement added that Nigeria and Ethiopia were among the main competitors for the bid to host the agency’s headquarters.

“We have no doubt that the space agency will work for the benefit of the development of the entire continent,…

First African-American in space shows Penn State Harrisburg how to reach for stars

08/02/2019 News

HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) — – The first African-American astronaut to travel to space is Philly born and Penn State cultivated. Dr. Guion Bluford …
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Rwanda set to launch Africa’s latest space satellite in 2019

01/02/2019 News

Just like other African countries exploring space with their own satellites, Rwanda has just announced plans to launch its own in 2019.

The East African nation is working together with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) in this project, according to the Rwanda Utility and Regulatory Authority (RURA).

“We are trying to shorten the timeline. It will be launched after the Transform Africa summit,” said Patrick Nyirishema, RURA’s Director General.

Transform Africa, an annual ICT summit, is scheduled for May this year in Kigali, making it the first satellite to be launched in 2019 ahead of Ethiopia’s launch in September.

Similar plans were announced back in 2017, with a model satellite presented…

Space Science capabilities earn South Africa global recognition

14/01/2019 News

South Africa has won an extraordinary victory in space science, with the South African National Space Agency (SANSA) being selected by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) to become the designated regional provider of space weather information to the entire aviation sector using African airspace.

This means that every aircraft flying in the continent’s airspace will rely on SANSA for the space weather information it needs to submit as part of its flight plan.

Space weather, which can influence the performance and reliability of aviation and other technological systems, is caused by the Sun, the nature of the Earth’s magnetic field and atmosphere, and the Earth’s location in the solar system.

SANSA, an entity…

Breaking ground soon, African American Museum to lease space at Maritime Center | Business

13/01/2019 News

Starting Monday, the International African American Museum will have new space to accommodate its expanding staff. A lease with the city of Charleston opens up a section of the Charleston Maritime Center for the museum’s use.

Charleston City Council unanimously voted Tuesday to lease the 1,806 square feet of waterfront space to the museum. The city-owned building is adjacent to the museum site on Wharfside Street.

Despite a recent announcement that construction costs will be $10 million more than organizers had anticipated, CEO Michael Boulware Moore says they still plan to break ground midyear and open to the public in mid-2021. By the time the museum announced the construction cost hike…