Sumbandila
Sumbandila
See www.sunspace.co.za/home/about-sumbandila
Sumbandila (meaning “lead the way” in Venda language), is a South African micro Earth observation satellite. The University of Stellenbosch and SunSpace were key players in constructing SumbandilaSat. SANSA space operations, Pretoria is responsible for operations, telemetry, tracking, control as well as data capturing. SumbandilaSat is part of a closely integrated South African space programme and serves as a research tool to investigate the viability of affordable space technology. Furthermore, the data will be used to, amongst others, monitor and manage disasters such as flooding, oil spills and fires within Southern Africa. It is currently operational.
| Mass | 83 kg |
| Dimensions | 1 x 0.7 x 0.5 m |
| Launch date | 17/09/2009 |
| Launch site | Tyuratam Missile and Space Complex, Baikonur, Russia |
| Launch vehicle | Soyuz rocket |
| Imaging Payload | Multi-spectral imager which has a 6.25m Ground Sampling Distance (GSD) with 6 spectral bands |
| 3 CCD detectors | |
| Experimental Payload | VLF radio waves (University of Kwazulu-Natal) |
| Forced vibrating string (Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University) | |
| Software defined radio (Stellenbosch University) | |
| Space radiation experiment (Stellenbosch University) | |
| Amateur radio transponder (Southern African Amateur Radio Satellite Association) | |
| Email communication system for Dept. of Communication | |
| Orbital status | In orbit |
| Operational status | Operational |