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
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
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
Nyameko Royi
Mission Engineer, CPUT

Geomagnetic jerks observed in geomagnetic observatory data over Southern Africa between 2018 and 2022
Sanele Lionel Khanyile
SANSA

BACAR – an affordable test platform
Christo Kriek
Portfolio Manager, BACAR

Develop of national space capabilities
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

DAY 2

Theme: Space and Industry

PLENARY 1
Sharing industry’s space infrastructure and operations

Sharing industry’s space infrastructure and operations
Eugene Avenant
Chief Engineer, Space Operations, SANSA

Infrastructure and Operations for Satellite Systems
Kannas Wiid
EOS SAT-1 Spacecraft System Engineer, Dragonfly Aerospace

State of the Art of Constellation Mission Technologies and Maritime Applications
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
Mpho Sadiki
Earth Observation Data Scientist, DEA

Using the Agrisense Constellation as a tool for building sustainable space programmes
Tucia Busakwe
Space Scientist, SCS

Standards for space
Rheinhardt Sieberhagen
R&D Metrologist, NMISA

Weed Detection Using Biomass
Yoliswa Mkhize
Graduate Intern, CSIR

Impact of Earth Observation in Rural Communities
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
Liam Sean Cogill
PhD Student, Stellenbosch University

Detecting woody invasive alien plants using Sentinel-2 imagery in the uMzimvubu Catchment, Eastern Cape
Thandeka Skosana
Stellenbosch University


SHOWCASING SESSION 2
Sharing status of frameworks, programmes and initiatives for coordination regulation, and planning

National Coordination Mechanisms
Ernest Acheampong
Group on Earth Observations (GEO)

Military Aerospace Authority
Major General De Villiers
Air Traffic controller, SAAF

Space Industry Framework and Action Plan
Nomfuneko Majaja
Chief Director, DTIC

TrigNet: Status of South Africa’s GNSS Base Station Network
Patrick Vorster
Professional Land Surveyor, National Geospatial Information, Branch: NGMS, DALRRD

Overview of the Non-Proliferation Council and Controls
Lucky Mametja
Non-Proliferation Officer, DTI

Status of NEO Frontiers and development SAEOS Portal
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

DAY 3

Theme: Space and the Future

09:00 – 11:00
SPECIAL LECTURE  2
Space and Sustainability

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
Daniel Matsapola
SANSA

Using EO and IoT tools to Build and Support Smart Communities
David Thabo Tabane
Founder, Arose Technologies

Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC)
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
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
Willie Nel
Chief Radar Engineer, CSIR

The business case for Global Visioning Systems – FleetSAR Satellite Constellation
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
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
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