[AstroNet] Launch Of Sumbandila Satellite Tomorrow at 6PM local time

[Ricky Olivier]

Hi all,

According to the Department of Science and Technology (DST) Website: " 
Tomorrow South Africa's SumbandilaSat launches into space atop a Russian 
Soyuz rocket at Baikonur in Kazakhstan. The 81 kg microsatellite, which 
is about 1m x 0, 5 m in size, will lift off into space on 15 September 
2009 from the Baikonur space base where it is being integrated into the 
Soyuz rocket."

The Sumbandila is a the result of a satellite development program 
commissioned by DST in 2005 and carried out by  Stellenbosch 
University's engineering faculty. The same organization that developed 
Sunsat which was launched in 1999.

Sumbandila, meaning "lead the way" in Venda, will orbit about  500 to 
600 km above the Earth. Onboard the space craft are high resolution 
cameras which will produce images that will assist in the effective 
management of disasters, food security, health, safety and security, 
water resources and energy security.

For more information see:

http://www.dst.gov.za/countdown-to-launch-of-south-africas-satellite-begins-1/

Dr. Enrico A. Olivier
S.A. Astronomical Observatory.
Tel: +27 (0)21 447 0025
Fax: +27 (0)21 447 3639