The Ministry of Science and Innovation has invested 18.9 million R18 in the development of two nanosatellites aimed at raising maritime awareness in South Africa.
This is the first such initiative for the country to provide communication services to the maritime industry, the agency said on Thursday (March 25th).
“Funding was channeled through the Agency for Technology Innovation (TIA), a DSI entity, to the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT), an institution that plays a leading role in the expansion of space science and technology in South Africa.
“The university has developed state-of-the-art nanosatellites and CubeSats over the years, demonstrating advanced technological capabilities in the country’s space industry,” the department said.
The two nanosatellites in the marine industry will be powered by M2MSat technology, in the form of a modern VHD data exchange system (VDES), software-defined machine-to-machine (M2M) radio stations.
A software-defined radio system (SDR) uses software to modulate and demodulate radio signals, performing significant amounts of signal processing on a general-purpose computer. The technology brings flexibility, cost efficiency and power to propel communications forward, with far-reaching benefits.
SDR technology will provide emerging M2M and Internet of Things applications capable of delivering complex analysis and ubiquitous positioning of high-value assets, as well as mission-critical services, at a lower cost than the deployment of traditional satellite systems.
“The development and commercialization of the M2MSat platform will position South Africa as a key contributor to global space innovation, power in the space value chain, a growing partnership with industry and rapid monitoring of the creation and exploitation of space knowledge and They said from the department.
He added that it is planned to develop Denel’s Overberg (OTR) test range in the Western Cape as a launch vehicle for future CubeSats developed by CPUT.
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