DAY 1
20 August 2025
Space and Socio-economic Resilience
OPENING SESSION
Space for Resilient and Inclusive Societies
➔ Watch session recording
The role of space in ensuring safe efficient aviation operations
Lieutenant General Wiseman Mbambo
Chief of the South Africa AirForce (SAAF)
SPECIAL SESSION
Industry Reflections: Pathways to Resilience, Intelligence and Transformation
➔ Watch session recording
Policy and institutional support for a thriving national space industry
Ms Nomfuneko Majaja
Chief Director, Space Affairs, Department of Trade Industry and Competition (dtic)
Harnessing space and earth Observations to strengthen transmission infrastructure and national resilience
Ms Tshisikhawe Mphaphuli
NEOSS EO Infrastructure CoP Co-Chair and Chief Advisor, Geoscience, National Transmission Company South Africa (NTCSA)
SHOWCASING SESSION 1
SANSA: Space Weather, GNSS and Earth Observation for Prediction and Resilience
➔ Watch session recording
The impact of an extreme space weather storm on GNSS applications in South Africa
Ms Boitumelo Makobe
Space Weather Forecaster, SANSA Space Science
The October 2024 geomagnetic storm impact: end user testimonial
Mr Greg Ritz
Manager, Air Race X Patrick Davidson
Role of ground-based instruments in space weather monitoring (regional impact)
Miss Nkosinathi Masango
Space Weather Forecaster, SANSA Space Science
Benefits of informed decision-making in the aviation industry
Col Mark Wilson
SSO Air Combat Plan, South African Air Force (SAAF)
DAY 2
21 August 2025
Space and Earth Intelligence
PLENARY 1
Space Intelligence: Earth Observation, AI and Decision-Making
➔ Watch session recording
The future of earth observation: how high-resolution satellite imagery is transforming Africa’s development
Ms Turcia Busakwe
Regional Sales Director: Southern and Eastern Africa, OMEO Space
How to create the first “Airbus of Africa”
Mr James Barrington-Brown
Co-Founder, Newcraft Aerospace
TECHNICAL SESSION 1
Space Engineering, Security and Systems Innovation
➔ Watch session recording
Innovation ecosystems: lessons in sustainability from three decades of public sector EO service development in Africa
Dr Stewart Bernard
NEOSS Natural Capital Accounting Co-Chair & EO Consultant and Hon Research Associate
Integrating GIS and remote sensing for sustainable grid in hydrologically sensitive areas of South Africa’s central grid
Mr Sixolise Melapi
Officer Spatial Data, National Transmission Company of South Africa (NTCSA)
Science and technology in amateur radio satellites
Mr Hans van de Groenendaal
President, SA Amateur Radio Satellite Association (AMSAT SA)
Commercial leadership and the orbital launch value chain in South Africa
Mr Frederik de Ridder
CEO, Mura Space
SHOWCASING SESSION 2
Intelligence-Driven Platforms for Smart, Resilient Infrastructure
➔ Watch session recording
Data centers in space: value from space applications and positive societal impact
Dr Ayodele Periola
Academic Researcher, Cape Peninsula University of Technology
Harnessing satellite data: combating rabies in northern South Africa
Dr George Chirima
Natural Resources and Engineering, Agricultural Research Council (ARC)
Satellite water leak detection in bulk water pipelines: a Hammanskraal pilot project
Mr Obakeng Rankhumise
Co-founder, FieldServe
Invasive alien plant species (IAPS) biomass mapping and estimation through geospatial analytics
Mr Fawaaz Davids
Data Applications Developer, Astrofica Technologies
Simulating disaster before it strikes – earth observation and ai-driven risk modelling for climate resilience in South Africa
Ms Nandi Mtethwa
Engagement Manager, The Research Institute for Innovation and Sustainability (RIIS)
Satellite-derived assessment of rangeland productivity in Blouberg Municipality in a changing climate
Mr Theophilus Thembani Mashava
University of Limpopo (Centre for Global Change)
SAAF dashboard
Lieutenant Colonel K. Chetty
Staff Officer Combat Plans, SAAF
DAY 3
22 August 2025
Space for Transformative Development
PLENARY 2
Pathways to a Resilient and Transformative Space Future
➔ Watch session recording
The Neo Frontiers Programme as a catalyst for earth observation industry development
Dr Naledzani Mudau
Data Products and Services Manager, SANSA Earth Observations
Earth intelligence for inclusion: shaping South Africa’s space-driven development future
Ms Ndilisa Didiza
Founder and Managing Director, Kgothatso Innovations, and NEOSS Co-Chair
ukuFundiSat hands-on satellite training course
Mr Dirk Slabber
Founder, isiLimela Space Systems
Africa EO challenges as a platform for innovation and collaboration
Ms Maheen Parbhoo
Analyst, The Research Institute for Innovation and Sustainability (RIIS)
Empowering Africa’s future workforce through the social and economic impact of the MaxIQ Space STEM programmes
Ms Judi Sandrock
Founder and Managing Director, MaxIQ Space
The UAV helicopter gearbox and muffler system design project development
Ms Laura Moruni
Regona Manufacturing
SANSA NEOFrontiers
Mr Tswelelo Piet Mashita
Abiri Technologies
3D flood simulation for disaster risk assessment
Dr Willard Mapurisa
Aphelion World
TECHNICAL SESSION 2
Space for Transformation: Public Value and Development Impact
➔ Watch session recording
Leveraging soil-property-aware reflectance models for scalable soil moisture mapping using Sentinel-2 in support of agricultural resilience in South Africa
Ms Yonwaba Atyosi
Candidate Researcher, CSIR
The use of Sentinel-2 combined with SAR remotely sensed data in assessing and quantifying soil moisture content for optimisation of maize crop production in commercial farming systems
Ms Anela Mkhwenkwana
Student, University of KwaZulu-Natal
Optimising neglected and underutilised taro crop water status estimations using UAV-acquired thermal and multispectral remotely sensed data
Ms Snethemba Ndlovu
Doctoral Candidate, University of KwaZulu-Natal
Modelling soil organic carbon at multiple depths in woody encroached grasslands using integrated remotely sensed data
Mr Sfundo Mthiyane
Student, University of KwaZulu-Natal
Integrating remote sensing and machine learning for ocean plastic litter detection and monitoring in South African coastal waters
Mr Tamuka Samuriwo
Doctoral Student, Cape Peninsula University of Technology
CLOSING SESSION
Highlights and Closing Remarks
➔ Watch session recording
National Space Conference highlights
Adv Lulu Makapela
Manager, National Earth Observations and Space Secretariat (NEOSS), CSIR