South African Space Agency announces plans to develop 20 antennas by 2020

The South African Space Agency (SANSA) has disclosed its plans to develop 20 more antennas, in addition to its fleet of 50 antennas, by March 2020.

SANSA CEO, Dr Valanathan Munsami, announced the Agency’s intention via a recent tweet.

SANSA’s Space Operations unit operates an array of antennas and several ground stations, based at Hartebeesthoek. The centre hosts full-motion TT & C (telemetry, tracking and command) antennas and remote sensing systems across L, S, C, Ext C, X, Ku, DBS and Ka frequency bands, as well as S-band for mobile support.

Hartebeesthoek runs around the clock all year long to support space missions and satellite launches. The antenna systems are situated across 32 secured locations on the 2890 HA site.

SANSA’s Space Operations unit renders TT&C services to most satellite manufacturers, operators and scope agencies around the world. Through its Space Operations unit, SANSA “conducts various space operations, including launch and early orbit support, in-orbit testing, satellite life-cycle support and satellite mission control for both national and international space industry clients and governments. The programme also supplies hosting capabilities with the intention of expanding this capability to Teleports”, according to a 2018 report released by the Agency.

Over the years, Hartebeesthoek has provided services for several international missions and satellite launches, including the Apollo missions. Since 1984, the space operations facility has supported over 300 spacecraft in low-Earth orbits and high-altitude geostationary orbits. In 2010 alone, the ground station supported 20 unprecedented launches while delivering maximum service level of 100%, indicating a milestone in South Africa’s space operations capabilities.

In the 2017/18 financial year, SANSA generated about USD 5.7m commercial income from its space operations activities and provided a total of 47 supportive spacecraft interactions for international space missions. The Agency boasts of successful satellite pass monitoring rate of 98% (~4500 passes).

The additional 20 antennas will boost SANSA’s growing capacity in space operations and make the Agency more competitive in the international TT&C market.