Ghana Space Science and Technology Centre

The Ghana Space Science and Technology Centre (GSSTC) was opened officially on 2 May 2012 as Ghana’s first space science, space exploration, astronomy and technology space agency.[1] GSSTC and Ghana Space Agency (GhSA) aims to become an arena of excellence in space science, space exploration and space technology through teaching, learning, private spaceflight and space research commercialisation. The centre and space agency will also allow scientists and astronauts to conduct research into natural resource management, weather forecasting, agriculture and national security.[2]

Ghana Space Science and Technology Centre

(GSSTC) Ghana Space Agency (GhSA)
Space Science and Space Exploration overview
Formed	2 May 2012 (2012-05-02)
Type	Space travel; Space exploration; Space medicine; Space research; and Astronomy
Child Space Science and Space Exploration	Ghana Space Agency

History

The Ghana Space Science and Technology Institute (GSSTI) was first established as a Centre under the School of Nuclear and Allied Sciences (SNAS) in January 2011 and launched in May 2012. It was later upgraded to an Institute in August 2013, to exploit space science and technology for socio-economic development of the country[3]

Operations

The GSSTC space agency's first flagship project is the Ghana Radio Astronomy Project which will see the abandoned Vodafone earth satellite station at Kuntunse, near Accra turned into a radio astronomy telescope. In 2012, work was conducted by Ghanaian experts of the GSSTC and South African experts of the South African National Space Agency to replace worn out parts.[1]

The GSSTC is working with the China National Space Administration to engage with astronauts, students, and young professionals about collaboration with the centre and space agency; and it has already embarked on outreach programmes to schools and has run tours to scientific sites.[2]

Technicity

Between the years of 2012 and 2024, Ghana is reportedly seeking USD5-10 billion in finance and funding support to develop the centre's infrastructure and human capacity. It has approached a global consortium of multinational institutions - including the China Development Bank, and the bank HSBC – as well as requesting technical advice from the China National Space Administration, and NASA for space science exploration, and institutions in Japan, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency and India, Indian Space Research Organisation.[1]

The agency is planning to complete its first satellite by 2020. In 2015, the government allocated $10 million to research nuclear and space science technology. The goal of the funding is to increase outreach and work towards Earth imaging satellites, so they do not have to purchase imagery from other countries. As of 2016, there are 20 employees working at the institute. A major driver of Earth monitoring satellites is to curtail the increase in illegal mining, which has a negative effect on the environment.[4]

See also

• List of aerospace engineering topics

References

1. Ghana: Nation Opens Space Research Centre, Africa: Allafrica.com, 2012, retrieved 5 October 2012
2. Africa's journey to space begins on the ground, United Kingdom: BBC News, 2012, retrieved 5 October 2012
3. https://inis.iaea.org/collection/NCLCollectionStore/_Public/46/131/46131669.pdf
4. Matthews, Chris (January 5, 2016). "Why Ghana Started a Space Program". Motherboard. Retrieved October 27, 2016.