The 81 kg earth observation satellite is equipped with a 6-band spectral imager capable of sampling data from a 45km x 45km swathe at an impressive resolution of 6.25 m, enough to fill up its 24Gb internal storage with up to 10 highly-detailed images (using all 6 bands) before it has to download its data to the CSIR’s Satellite Applications Centre at Hartebeesthoek, which will be responsible for operating the satellite. Having this level of dedicated earth observation capability available to the South African government and other institutions should vastly increase our understanding of vegetation, deforestation, land use, water quality and agriculture in this country. And with sufficient propellant onboard to remain operational for 3 to 4 years I think it’s fair to say that the R26 million the government invested in the satellite’s development and launching was quite a bargain.

This is also excellent news for SunSpace, the satellite’s manufacturer. The company was spun off from Stellenbosch University, following the successful creation and launch of a smaller and lighter micro-satellite, SunSat, in 1999. and has swiftly proven itself as a competent and innovative manufacturer of affordable micro-satellites. I hope they’ll be able to use this launch to get some exposure and begin making serious inroads into what is looking like it may become quite a lucrative market.

So congratulations to the SumbandilaSat team.