[FPSPACE] The Clock is Ticking Away Towards the Launch of SA's Space Agency

[Baris Gencay]

Dear Keith et all,

Sorry for the late answer but, the news about Russian TT&C station in SA is 
mentioned on the news below; 
http://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article.php?a_id=106399 which states;

"Roskosmos is known to be very eager to establish a radio tracking and 
control capability for both launchers and spacecraft in South Africa, at the 
SAC. The Russians are interested in doing so either by making use of the SAC's 
existing systems, or by installing Russian equipment at SAC. The SAC is 
reported to be keen on developing such cooperation."

If I am not mistaken, that was the reason behind Sumbandilasat launch 
setback.


The  new developments in SA's Space plans may be seen on the link below;

http://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article.php?a_id=127346



Baris












----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Keith Gottschalk" <kgottschalk at uwc.ac.za>
To: <fpspace at friends-partners.org>
Sent: Monday, February 18, 2008 12:55 PM
Subject: [FPSPACE] Uncertainty shrouds South African Satellite


> hi,
>
> the news stories linked talk about "using a Russian military satellite"
> but say not a word about any "related with building Russian TT&C Station
> at SA."
>
>   Pending more hard facts, all this seems weird to me. What on earth
> use could South Africa make of a Russian military satellite? It is at
> peace in a common market with its neighbours - not exactly a need for
> imagery intelligence!
>
>   South Africa's own TT&C stations regularly download encrypted data
> for paying foreign clients, which it hands over to them undeciphered. So
> I am bursting with curiosity - but have no more facts.
>
> Keith
>
>>>>> "Baris Gencay" <baris.gencay at gmail.com> 02/18/08 11:19 AM >>>
>>http://www.busrep.co.za/index.php?fArticleId=4256508
>>
>>The link above suggests that Sumbandilasat may be launched from India
> or China. That means, satellite doesn't have
>>obvious parts which can be hurdle to launch from these 2 countries.
> The Russian reasons to refuse the launch sounds
>>related with building Russian TT&C Station at SA. Most probably,
> Russians proposed SA to use the satellite data free of
>>charge or even for a less price. And SA didn't accept.
>>
>>Can anybody make comment?
>>
>>http://www.sabcnews.com/sci_tech/science/0,2172,164128,00.html
>>
>>Another link above is another source that mentioned about the same
> development.
>
>


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


> All Email originating from UWC is covered by disclaimer
> http://www.uwc.ac.za/portal/public/portal_services/disclaimer.htm
>


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


> _______________________________________________
> FPSPACE mailing list
> FPSPACE at friends-partners.org
> http://www.friends-partners.org/mailman/listinfo/fpspace
>