South Africa's Space Ambitions

South Africa is thinking about establishing a space programme, reports News24.com. The Chief Director of Communication in the Department of Science and Technology, Nhlanhla Nyide, is quoted as saying that "plans would be submitted before the end of this year to the cabinet for approval". South Africa's plans do not include building space craft, but focusing the areas where the country already has strengths, such as astronomy. The latest telescoope, SALT at Sutherland in the Karoo, is due to be "officially" opened towards the end of 2005. Read more...