The 2021 United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UNCOPUOS) Scientific and Technical Subcommittee (STSC) Fifty-eighth session held virtually, from 19–30 April 2021.

In brief, the South African national statement provided an update to member states on the development of its space activities. The STSC was informed that the South African government has mobilised public and private sector funding to prioritise infrastructure development to support economic growth and job creation through the Sustainable Infrastructure Development Symposium (SIDS) initiative which has ranked space infrastructure investment as a high priority due to ever-increasing dependency on technological systems. In highlighting the importance of international cooperation and collaboration for the development of space science and technology, South Africa informed the meeting of its active collaboration with European Space Agency and the BRICS Space Agencies amongst others.

Furthermore, South Africa informed that it has put its signature on the international treaty establishing the Square Kilometre Array Organisation (SKAO) as an intergovernmental organisation tasked with building and operating the world’s most powerful radio astronomy telescope.

The Country statement which were prepared by members are as follows:

  • Space weather
  • Geostationary Orbit
  • Space and global health
  • General Exchange of Views