The Ghana Space Science and Technology Institute has unveiled plans for Ghana to launch a rocket into space.
This ambitious project, however, will require collaboration with other member states of the International Astronomical Union (IAU).
The announcement of Ghana’s rocket launch plan coincides with an influential 2024 IAU General Assembly, a significant achievement for both the Union and South Africa, as it is the first time in the IAU’s 105-year history that the assembly has been held on the African continent.
This marks the first time in the IAU’s 105-year history that the assembly has been held on the African continent, underscoring a significant achievement for both the Union and South Africa.
The IAU General Assembly, the largest global forum for astronomers, scientists, and researchers, will unite over 2,000 experts from 82 countries, further establishing Cape Town as a central hub for scientific discourse and innovation.
Dr. Naomi Asabre Frimpong, a research scientist at the Ghana Space Science and Technology Institute, discussed Ghana’s plans in an interview with JoyNews’ Blessed Sogah.
Dr. Naomi Asabre Frimpong, a research scientist at the Ghana Space Science and Technology Institute, expressed Ghana’s potential in space exploration. “Ghana does plan to go to space,” she stated. “With significant investment in space technology, engineering, communication, and research, we can achieve a lot. Our scientists should not be underestimated.”
Our current infrastructure is insufficient to support missions to the International Space Station.”
Addressing concerns about Ghana’s satellite technology, Dr Frimpong expressed confidence in Ghanaian expertise.
“Ghanaians are incredibly talented. We can achieve a lot with limited infrastructure. We can significantly contribute to the international scientific community with governmental, public, and institutional support.
Our scientists should not be underestimated.”
Hosting the assembly, South Africa has expressed enthusiasm for supporting partnerships with countries like Ghana.
Thoko Modise, General Manager for Communications at Brand South Africa, emphasized the importance of the event. “We are excited to collaborate with the IAU.
Hosting the General Assembly in Cape Town highlights South Africa’s role in the global astronomy community and our commitment to international collaboration and innovation.”
The 2024 IAU General Assembly will provide a platform for South African scientists to showcase their advancements, particularly those related to the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) project.
The SKA project, an international effort to construct the world’s largest and most sensitive radio telescope, is a significant step in revolutionizing our understanding of the universe. With components located in South Africa’s Karoo desert and Western Australia’s Murchison region, the project promises unprecedented sensitivity and scale in our exploration of the cosmos.
The SKA project promises to revolutionize our understanding of the universe with unprecedented sensitivity and scale.
The assembly will feature discussions on various topics, including the impact of the James Webb Space Telescope. This telescope, set to launch in 2021, is expected to revolutionize our understanding of the universe with its unprecedented capabilities, making it a hot topic of discussion at the 2024 IAU General Assembly.
Notable guests will include Dr. Sian Proctor, the first African American woman to pilot a spacecraft on the all-civilian Inspiration4 mission, and Dr. Brian Schmidt, Nobel Laureate in Physics, for his work on the universe’s accelerating expansion.
Dr. Schmidt will be interviewed live during the “Cosmic Savannah” podcast at the CTICC on August 14.
Public events will include Mae Jemison, the first African American woman in space, and a live radio link with the International Space Station involving ten Cape Town students and NASA astronaut Sunitha Williams on August 9. These events are designed to engage the public and inspire the next generation of space enthusiasts, making the 2024 IAU General Assembly a truly inclusive and impactful event.
