SUNSAT: South Africa’s first satellite in space

  • A. Schoonwinkel Departement Elektriese en Elektroniese Ingenieurswese, Universiteit van Stellenbosch
  • G. W. Milne Departement Elektriese en Elektroniese Ingenieurswese, Universiteit van Stellenbosch
  • J. J. du Plessis Departement Elektriese en Elektroniese Ingenieurswese, Universiteit van Stellenbosch
  • S. Mostert Departement Elektriese en Elektroniese Ingenieurswese, Universiteit van Stellenbosch

Abstract

The SUNSAT satellite was conducted as a research and development programme at Stellenbosch University from 1992 till 2001. It obtained new technology for South Africa and set new performance levels internationally with regard to micro-satellites. SUNSAT also supported amateur radio communications internationally, as well as space physics experiments. During the development phase more than 100 postgraduate students based their theses on SUNSAT, and a supplementary science awareness programme reached more than 50 000 learners. This article provides an overview of the satellite configuration and concludes with a vision for satellite technology in South Africa.

Published
2002-09-28
How to Cite
Schoonwinkel, A., Milne, G., du Plessis, J., & Mostert, S. (2002). SUNSAT: South Africa’s first satellite in space. Suid-Afrikaans Tydskrif Vir Natuurwetenskap En Tegnologie / <i>South African Journal of Science and Technology</I&gt;, 21(3), 90-100. https://doi.org/10.4102/satnt.v21i3.233
Section
Oorspronklike Navorsing