Space Technology: A (peaceful) possibility for the SADC region?

Lazarus Sauti

Space technology – expertise that is related to entering, and retrieving objects or life forms from space – is advancing at an increasing pace in the world, yet most African countries lack the human, technical and financial resources to utilise this science to improve basic applications in meteorology, communications and natural resource management.

In most parts of Africa to be general and Southern Africa to be specific, space technologies are largely absent despite the fact that they can enhance communications, mapping, weather observation and disaster management.

Andhra Pradesh, one of the 29 states of India, situated on the country’s south-eastern coast, for instance, is using space technology to assess cyclone damages. With the help of Indian Space Research Organisation and National Remote Sensing Centre, Andhra is using latest technology tools to gather firsthand information about the destruction caused by Cyclone Hudhud.

Countries in Africa can copy from Andhra and use space technology not only to fight disaster management, but also to improve the lives of citizens and transform economies.

Unfortunately, South Africa is the only Southern Africa Development Community member state that has demonstrated the willingness to invest in space technologies. The Square Kilometre Array project in the country is an epitome of a scientific and political development in space exploration.

This slow adoption of space technology in SADC countries, however, demands answers from a host of questions.

Is space technology a peaceful possibility for the region?

Is it the way to go for the region hard pressed with many socio-economic challenges?

Was Sudanese president, Omar Hassan al-Bashir, right when he once said the continent must have a space agency?

Will space technology liberate the regional bloc from the “technological domination” of the West?

Professor Robert Harding, in his book “Space Policy in Developing Countries” wrote: “The search for security and development on the final frontier”, declares that space has become “the ultimate venue for the growth of national power and socio-economic development”.

He also asserts that space technology primarily serves a country’s national interests, such as security and socio-economic development; and, therefore, is a possibility for the African continent to transform its economy as well as nurture its scientific advancement. Professor Nidhal Guessoum, an expert of physics and astronomy, also believes space technology plays essential roles in urban planning (through imaging and remote sensing), land (desert and forest) observations and uses, and military surveillance.

“More intangibly, space technology gives a nation geo-political prestige, and perhaps most importantly inspiration and education avenues for its youth,” adds Guessoum.

Harding and Guessoum, therefore, believe that space technology is a worthy investment.

Accordingly, social support as well as financial capacity to invest in this technology must be present in all countries within and across SADC.

This means governments and relevant stakeholders in the region must heavily invest in the human, technical and financial resources to utilise space technology as a panacea to socioeconomic challenges. Member states must also establish space research organisations and national remote sensing centres to effectively embrace space technology.

Stakeholders must also establish strong infrastructure if the regional bloc is to realise its space technology dream.

This is so because “every day” technologies such as weather forecasting, remote sensing, Global Positioning Systems, satellite television, and some long distance communications systems critically rely on space infrastructure.

Further, academic and research institutions as well as industries should participate in space technology programmes by supporting programmes that embody the vision to use space technology for the benefit of the region.

They must embark on outreach programmes in communities to spark the minds of young space technology enthusiasts, promote science and public engagement and encourage studies in science, engineering and technology so as to develop scarce and transferable skills that contribute to transforming the region into a knowledge based economy.

However, it is important for SADC member states to first convince citizens that space technology programmes are not misplaced or inflated projects, but genuine and worthwhile investments.

Without doubt, space technology programmes have much to offer to the SADC region at this juncture of its scientific, technical, economic, educational and cultural development. The region simply needs to set a clear, multi-faceted, and future-looking space strategy.