Reaching for the stars

Why do we need to do things in space? Considering the many challenges being faced by humanity on our planet every day, it is tempting to consider space technology a waste.

Yet from the internet to smartphones to GPS systems and even catching your favourite team on TV winning the match, these all rely on technologies that have been blasted into orbit. Those same technologies also help create breakthroughs back on Earth.

A nation that embraces space technologies becomes advanced and prosperous.

We should attract people young and old into this world, stoking their interest in what they can do in the heavens to improve life here on the ground. To support this movement, RS Components is sponsoring the annual AMSAT SA Space Symposium by supplying attendance prizes.

“RS supports innovative space technology that is out of this world, and we are excited to be a part of this groundbreaking mission that encourages the youth to experiment in satellite communication through science and technology,” said Mellisa Naidoo, Head of Marketing RS South Africa.

RS Components South Africa sponsored two Pi-Top Laptops with two Pi 3 boards, two Raspberry Pi Starter Kits, as well as two Raspberry Pi Dummy Kits, as prizes for attendees at the Symposium.

The annual AMSAT SA Space Symposium was held at the Innovation Hub in Pretoria South Africa on 27 May 2017. Other than hosting important conferences and brainstorming sessions around space technologies created in South Africa, in particular, satellite systems, it also aims to spark interest and activity in space, satellites and amateur radio, encouraging the experimentation in satellite communication through science and technology at educational institutions.

The theme was: “Conquering Space as an educational pastime”. Attendees at the symposium could interact with the leading figures and companies in this exciting industry, as well as attend a real-time review on the AMSAT SA Kletskous CubeSat and papers on other projects, technology and space science subjects. Through collaboration with partners including RS Components, the South African Radio League and educational groups, the symposium wants to inspire future designers of satellite and radio technologies.

RS is excited to be a part of the mission that develops new satellites that provide radio amateurs and educational institutions in Southern Africa easy access to a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite on as many of the available passes as possible.

To see our future here on Earth, we must look at the stars. Take your first step into tomorrow at the AMSAT SA Space Symposium.