DAY 1
Theme: Space and Society
TECHNICAL SESSION 1
Sharing recent developments in the use of Integrated Applications and Research for societal benefit
Quantifying changes in the extent of South African estuarine habitats to inform targets of the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF)
Dr Heidi van Deventer
Principal Researcher, CSIR
Synergetic Use of Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2 data for Wheat Crop Height Monitoring Using Machine Learning
Dr Cilence Munghemezulu
Researcher, ARC
Unlocking Earth Observation imagery to provide insight, Business
Mr Micheal Breetzke
Development Manager, Swiftgeospatial
Wildfire emissions assessed using remotely sensed data: A review
Dr Lerato Shikwambana
Senior Scientist, SANSA EO
Music and Bands. Optimising Sentinel-2 Feature Space for Improved Crop Biophysical and Biochemical Variables Retrieval Using the Novel Spectral Traid Feature Selection Algorithm
Dr Mahlatse Kganyago
Geo-informatics Lecturer/Researcher, UJ
Remote Sensing in Assessing Engineering Risk – Using satellite data to detect ground settlement and swelling for planned railway infrastructure extension
Ms Ndilisa Didiza
CoP Co-Chair, NEOSS
SHOWCASING SESSION 1
Sharing recent developments in building space capabilities
Mission Options for an Indigenously-Developed Small Satellite Launch Vehicle
Prof Jean Pitot
Associate Professor, ASrec, UKZN
Development and Deployment of Low Earth Orbit Nanosatellites for Maritime Applications
Mr Nyameko Royi
Mission Engineer, CPUT
Geomagnetic jerks observed in geomagnetic observatory data over Southern Africa between 2018 and 2022
Mr Sanele Lionel Khanyile
SANSA
BACAR – an affordable test platform
Mr Christo Kriek
Portfolio Manager, BACAR
Develop of national space capabilities
Mr Tebogo Mokgalagadi
Acting Executive: Space Engineering, SANSA
DAY 1 VIDEOS
Introduction and opening performance, welcoming remarks, and opening statements.
Technical session 1: Sharing recent developments in the use of Integrated Applications and Research for societal benefit
Showcasing session 1: Sharing recent developments in building space capabilities
DAY 1 PHOTOGRAPHS
View the Day 1 photo gallery
DAY 2
Theme: Space and Industry
PLENARY 1
Sharing industry’s space infrastructure and operations
Sharing industry’s space infrastructure and operations
Mr Eugene Avenant
Chief Engineer, Space Operations, SANSA
Infrastructure and Operations for Satellite Systems
Mr Kannas Wiid
EOS SAT-1 Spacecraft System Engineer, Dragonfly Aerospace
State of the Art of Constellation Mission Technologies and Maritime Applications
Mr Francois Visser
Technical Director, AAC – Space Africa
TECHNICAL SESSION 2
Sharing achievements and use cases for space innovation and services
Mapping waterbodies and wetlands in Digital Earth Africa platform: tools and applications
Ms Mpho Sadiki
Earth Observation Data Scientist, DEA
Using the Agrisense Constellation as a tool for building sustainable space programmes
Ms Tucia Busakwe
Space Scientist, SCS
Standards for space
Rheinhardt Sieberhagen
R&D Metrologist, NMISA
Weed Detection Using Biomass
Ms Yoliswa Mkhize
Graduate Intern, CSIR
Impact of Earth Observation in Rural Communities
Mr Tswelelo Piet Mashita
Abiri Technologies
Mapping the presence of woody invasive alien plants in the Luvuvhu Catchment of South Africa using multispectral Sentinel-2 satellite imagery
Mr Liam Sean Cogill
PhD Student, Stellenbosch University
Detecting woody invasive alien plants using Sentinel-2 imagery in the uMzimvubu Catchment, Eastern Cape
Ms Thandeka Skosana
Stellenbosch University
SHOWCASING SESSION 2
Sharing status of frameworks, programmes and initiatives for coordination regulation, and planning
National Coordination Mechanisms
Mr Ernest Acheampong
Group on Earth Observations (GEO)
Military Aerospace Authority
Major General De Villiers
Air Traffic controller, SAAF
Space Industry Framework and Action Plan
Ms Nomfuneko Majaja
Chief Director, DTIC
TrigNet: Status of South Africa’s GNSS Base Station Network
Mr Patrick Vorster
Professional Land Surveyor, National Geospatial Information, Branch: NGMS, DALRRD
Overview of the Non-Proliferation Council and Controls
Mr Lucky Mametja
Non-Proliferation Officer, DTI
Status of NEO Frontiers and development SAEOS Portal
Ms Asanda Ntisana-Sangoni
Acting Managing Director, EO, SANSA
DAY 2 VIDEOS
Plenary 1: Sharing industry’s space infrastructure and operations
Technical session 2: Sharing achievements and use cases for space innovation and services
Showcasing session 2: Sharing status of frameworks, programmes and initiatives for coordination regulation, and planning
DAY 2 PHOTOGRAPHS
View the Day 2 photo gallery
DAY 3
Theme: Space and the Future
09:00 – 11:00
SPECIAL LECTURE 2
Space and Sustainability
Ms Pontsho Maruping
Managing Director, SARAO
PLENARY 2
Sharing current space education and outreach activities, methods, and techniques
Reducing high unemployment through entrepreneurial mindset development in African youth
Mr Daniel Matsapola
SANSA
Using EO and IoT tools to Build and Support Smart Communities
Mr David Thabo Tabane
Founder, Arose Technologies
Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC)
Mr Muteb Benedict Tshimbalang
National Point of Contact, SGAC
Aviation, Aeronautical and Space Sciences Focus School
Col Alan Nelson
STEM Developments
Driving Diversity and Inclusion through Technical Challenges Across Africa
Mr Zviko Mudimu
DEA
TECHNICAL SESSION 3
The advancement of space to harness future technologies (AI, 4iR, SAR, Machine learning)
MicroSTAR – a bistatic radar solution to commoditise SAR
Mr Willie Nel
Chief Radar Engineer, CSIR
The business case for Global Visioning Systems – FleetSAR Satellite Constellation
Ms Thongwane Namane
SCS
Oscillation-based built-in self-testing: a promising approach for RF systems in orbit
Prof Tinus Stander
UP
Integrating active learning and machine learning regression methods for hybrid retrieval of grass biophysical variables in a protected mountainous region using Sentinel-2 data
Dr Philemon Tsele
Senior Lecturer, UP
Improving the Efficiency of LoRa IoT Devices with AEM Systems and AI Techniques
Ms Yolanda Nxumalo
YaAzi
Development of MHTS Automatic Identification System (AIS) receiver and upgrade to VDES & Blue force Tracking AIS
Kgabo Mathapo
CTO, Motseni-Hi-TechSpace
YOUTH SESSION
EO monitoring demonstration activity
Mr Charlton Thys
Masters candidate, UWC
CLOSING SESSION
Highlights and Closing Remarks
National Space Conference Highlights
Adv Lulu Makapela
Manager, NEOSS
DAY 3 VIDEOS
Youth session: EO monitoring demonstration activity, and National Space Conference highlights.
DAY 3 PHOTOGRAPHS
View the Day 3 photo gallery
