The implementation of a satellite system sharing structure in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries could allow the sustainable development of the African continent, said the Secretary of State for Telecommunications, Mário Oliveira.
South Africa is the only country in the region that has a satellite, while Angola is working on building Angosat-2 following the failure of Angosat-1, launched on 26 December 2017.
Angosat-2 is already built at 50 percent and could be launched in orbit by 2022.
The engineer, who was speaking at the opening of the III satellite training workshop of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and SADC satellite system sharing framework, said the initiative will allow people to access information quickly.
He said that the Angolan space program highlights the construction and orbiting of the national satellite and a large cadre training program, having already trained 60 space science specialists, while others are in training abroad.
According to the official, the training of space science technicians should be extended to other countries in the region, to benefit the health system, agricultural education and space industry in these countries.
Referring to the meeting, he said it was an important step in leveraging the SADC region’s space industry.
In his turn, SADC senior coordinator for science, technology and information, George Ah-Thew, said that countries in the region are developing satellite-sharing policies.
Source: Angop
