African Union Member States: National Space Infrastructure, Activities, and Capabilities

Abstract

Having examined the space-related engagements of African states and the context framing the primary needs approach in earlier chapters, this chapter examines the national space capabilities and initiatives of African states through the main lenses of the modified Space Technology Ladder and the emerging space actor (EMSA) framework, which are discussed first. The examination then proceeds according to Africa’s Regional Economic Communities, identifying national space agencies, and current as well as upcoming infrastructure and satellite projects. This is followed by a summary of Africa’s key ground segment infrastructure, as well as scientific research output across the continent in the areas of Space and Planetary Science, Astronomy and Astrophysics, and Aerospace Engineering. African space-related spending is also considered. In line with findings from the previous chapter, the current African space growth poles are identified, as are a host of promising rising stars in the sector. These findings, combined with those of previous chapters, powerfully counter the views that Africa remains behind in the space sector of the twenty-first century, that space activities are not relevant to developing nations with many other pressing concerns, and that space is not relevant to, or used to support, the daily lives of Africans—themes that are further examined in an upcoming work on Space Supporting Africa.