Cape Town - The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Nasa) of the US visited the Cape Academy of Maths, Science and Technology on day to engage with 200 learners about opportunities for youth in space exploration and South Africa’s involvement in their Artemis missions.
Badri Younes, Nasa’s deputy associate administrator for Space Communications and Navigation (SCaN), led the discussion and spoke of opportunities that were available in space exploration.
He also gave details of Nasa’s Artemis mission to land the first woman and first person of colour on the moon.
Younes said South Africa would play a critical role in the Artemis missions as the country would operate an 18- to 24m-long antenna at a deep space ground station in Matjiesfontein that would connect Earth with astronauts and spacecraft at the moon.
The launch of this station takes place today with Nasa and the Department of Science and Innovation set to sign a joint statement, confirming their planned collaboration and partnership for deep-space missions going forward.
“One of the things Nasa holds dear is reaching out to schoolchildren. We stress to them the importance of what we do and the value of space-related activities to all our lives. Today’s learners were extremely responsive and highly engaged, they asked a lot of wonderful questions,” Younes said.
Grade 8 pupil and member of the school’s aerospace club, Ethan Mereu, said he aspired to become an astronaut and that the Nasa talk was intriguing, especially the information shared about the future of South Africa’s involvement in the space economy.
Grade 9 pupil Liyema Bokwe, who is a member of the robotics team in the school’s Astrovo Club, said she had a keen interest in space exploration.
“What got me interested was the study of astronomy and wanting to know more about the universe and its matter. I love knowledge and would love to study the stars. I feel privileged because we are being given these opportunities and platforms to learn more about these topics.”
Sakhikamva, a non-profit organisation focusing on skills development in the aviation and aerospace industry, was part of the team that organised the Nasa engagement at the school.
Founder Fatima Jakoet said the engagement tied in with what they promoted – to encourage learners to think differently about their future.
