NUST to launch master’s in Satellite System Design

Ground station commissioned
With this commissioning, Namibia is ready to contribute even further to global space science.
Ndapandula Lilonga
  • 5 Days Ago

The Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) marked an important milestone last week, with the commissioning and launch of its Satellite Data Receiving Ground Station.

This cutting-edge facility is designed to strengthen Namibia’s growing expertise in space science and satellite technology.

Opening the launch event, NUST Acting Vice-Chancellor Andrew Niikondo described the development as a “strategic milestone in Namibia’s contribution to global space science.” He also announced that NUST will soon introduce a Master’s degree in Satellite System Design and Communication, aimed at professionalising the local aerospace sector and providing hands-on training for postgraduate researchers.

The ceremony was also attended by Cécile Vigneau, the Ambassador of France to Namibia, alongside several high-ranking delegates and industry leaders.

Smita Francis, NUST Coordinator for the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment (FEBE), provided a technical overview of the ground station. She explained that the facility includes ground equipment, such as antennas with a direct view of the sky, which communicate with passing satellites to download live data. This real-time information supports decision-making in key sectors such as agriculture, vegetation monitoring, and disaster management, providing early warnings for flash floods or tracking veld fires.

Francis said that the station represents over 15 years of dedicated research into satellite data. She expressed her gratitude to international partners who made the project possible, including F'SATI, CSUM, UNISEC-Global, AAC Space Africa, CLTP, SPUTNIX, and Hyperion Technologies.

She also emphasised the importance of gender inclusivity in space engineering: “We want to empower more women to enter the field of space engineering to become part of the future of space innovation.”

To illustrate the programme’s impact, she shared testimonies from current students, including one who showcased a specialised project developed within the facility.

The technical capabilities of the station were further explained by Francois Visser, Technical Director of ÅAC Clyde Space Africa, who praised the students’ hands-on contributions.

Representing the government, Lisho Mundia, Deputy Executive Director of the Ministry of Education, congratulated NUST and emphasised that “you can never go alone,” calling on institutions and researchers to collaborate in strengthening Namibia’s space ecosystem. He also noted that the project, funded by the Namibian government, included vital skills-transfer components to ensure that such equipment can eventually be produced locally.