Space Science Research in Africa

Dr Lee-Anne McKinnell

Managing Director

SANSA Space Science, South Africa

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Importance of Space Science Research for Africa

1) Developing human capital with transferable skills; 2) Improved capabilities in space applications and

services; 3) Inspire innovation through Space knowledge and

expertise; 4) Education and the inspiration of the youth; 5) Developing knowledge to address local economic

situations (resource management from space)

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African Countries involved in a Space Programme

Who is who in Space Race 2 (the new Space race)?

Level 4 – National Space Agency with satellites Nigeria Level 3 – National Space Agency with no satellites Algeria and South Africa The rest are listed are level 1 or level 0 (no space programme)

This is changing – several countries are moving towards space programme at some level Ethiopia, Kenya, Zambia, Uganda, Ghana, Angola

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Act of parliament in Dec 2008 Established in 2010 Commenced operations on 1 April 2011 Migrated 2 entities into SANSA 6 strategic programmes Future plans include African partnerships

SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL SPACE AGENCY (SANSA)

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African Space Science Research

Installation of ground based distributed networks Training of African students (developing tomorrows scientists) Starting Space Science Programmes Holding International Workshops in Africa (IHY for eg) Building a space knowledge economy

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RESEARCH TOPICS

Geomagnetic Research Ionospheric Research incl Characterisation Waves and Space Plasmas Space Weather (Solar, Prediction etc) Heliophysics

Nigeria – South Africa

Global ionospheric modelling using neural networks

South African Ionospheric map (SAIM)

SA-Nigeria-Uganda

I. Purpose to provide a overall representation of the

ionosphere over South Africa given available data

sources;

II. The map shows spatial and temporal

representations of ionospheric parameters like the

electron density and critical plasma frequencies for

every geographical location on the map.

III. Available data sources considered include SABIM,

IRI, and the South African ionosonde network;

IV. Expansion across Africa is currently being

investigated.

Example of the SAIM output

(Hermanus, -34.26°S, 19.14°E)

HF Doppler Measurements

TEC Modelling and Ionospheric Scintillation

A neural network approach to empirically model the lower ionosphere

Objective – to accurately predict electron densities at lower altitudes in the auroral zone

IMAZ Ionospheric Model for the Auroral Zone

Data used from EISCAT ISR Collaboration between South Africa and Austria

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African Initiatives

African Resource Management Constellation South Africa, Kenya, Algeria and Nigeria 4 satellites, one from each country

Bilateral Programmes Initiating Space Science Programmes in Universities Student Exchange Programmes International participation and partnerships

Examples of Current Projects

PLASMON, FP7 project South Africa is participant African students are involved

SA – Kenya Bilateral Modelling Space Weather Effects (Mostly using GPS and Scintillation) SA- Nigeria Collaboration Modelling the global peak ionospheric electron density GPS and Scintillation SA- Zambia Bilateral Space Weather studies over Africa

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African Resource Management Constellation (ARMC)

Nigeria, Algeria, South Africa, and Kenya A constellation of 4 satellites Objective – environmental and resource management for Africa Provides opportunities for other satellite partnerships (eg: CubeSATs)

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African Instrumentation – to date

-> Magnetometers -> GPS Receivers -> Scintillation GPS -> Ionosondes -> VLF Wave Receivers -> Doppler Radar

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SANSA OWNED AND

OPERATED

• Ionosondes • GPS receivers (dual frequency & scintillation) • VLF receivers • Doppler Radar • Magnetometers (variation & pulsation) • Riometer • MT Stations • Radar (Aurora and Mid Latitude) • Lidar • Lightning detectors • Neutron Monitor

Space Weather

Applicable space science Can be used as a driver to excite about science Regional Warning Centre for Africa in Hermanus Expanding network of ground based data

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SPACE WEATHER OPERATIONS CENTER

STUDENT TRAINING (HCD) Postgraduate student supervision Summer & Winter Schools Honours projects & Supervision University courses in Space Physics Internship & Volunteer programs

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National Astrophysics and Space Science Programme (NASSP)

Honours and MSc programme Funded by South Africa Involves a number of universities and research institutions MSc is 18 months – 6 months coursework plus 12 month research thesis Students can choose Astrophysics, Astronomy or Space Science

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Future of Space Science in Africa

Many countries are trying to join the Space Race National Space Programmes are being developed Should look at supplimentary programmes (eg: ground based vs satellite based) Building skills (transferable skills is the key) Data Access and Management is a key challenge Should include Science Advancement using Space as a driver

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Future of AMISR in Africa

Science Questions that make the case Collaborations Training Data Access

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