Space for Development – Satellite Engineering as Catalyst for Development
- Paper number
IAC-08.B4.1.2
- Author
Prof. Sias Mostert, Space Commercial Services Holdings (Pty) Ltd, South Africa
- Year
2008
- Abstract
Space for Development forms the backbone of sustainable satellite engineering and other space related activities in developing countries. To achieve the development objectives, requires an understanding of the complex value proposition that a high technology program, such as a space program represents. Two of the impact domains namely satellite engineering and remote sensing will be analysed to assess the business case that can be supported at a national level for sustained investment by government into an emerging space program. With satellite engineering considered to be a crown jewel in the crown of demonstrating the mastery of high technology, it is imperative that national space programs leverage the economic spin-offs that can be obtained from establishing and maintaining the development and manufacturing capability. The cost/performance ratio of small remote sensing satellites enable the utilisation of remote sensing data to move from mapping applications to monitoring applications. New applications at a national and regional level is opened up that can lead to new industries being formed as a result. However, many space programs have not progressed as far as expected in their impact for development due to many challenges. Therefore it is important to analyse the key success factors for sustainable space programs, as the benefits of having an indigenous space program represent a complex value proposition that goes far beyond the value of the data produced or communication capacity available to the economy. The paper will describe an analysis of the impact of space programs in developing countries in the context of a number of countries now undertaking or planning to undertake their second satellite programs. The cost/benefit economies of small satellites are well known and a number of developing and developed countries have taken advantage of using a space program to achieve a number of national objectives. The challenges that remain are affordable and timely access to space and sustainable program funding that maintains not only a survival mode activity, but is adequate for a right sized critical mass of engineering and science manpower. The paper explores what the right size program may look like and develops a business case for sustainable investing by governments into a space program. As a case study, the experience of the technology build up at Stellenbosch University in the Sunsat program and some of the resulting activities and programmes are analysed to take stock of the lessons learned that can be applied in ensuring sustainable space activities in developing countries. The paper starts with reviewing the complex value proposition that a high technology program such as a space program represents. Two of the impact domains namely satellite engineering and remote sensing will be further analysed to assess the business case that can be supported at a national level for sustained investment by government into an emerging space program. The paper closes with a proposal for a right sized, sustainable space program that could be used as a baseline for a sustainable government space program.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
(absent)