EARTH OBSERVATION FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN AFRICA: THROUGH THE ADOPTION OF COST-EFFECTIVE SMALL SATELLITE PROGRAMS TO ATTAIN DATA DEMOCRACY AND ACHIEVE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS IN AFRICA

摘要

Earth observation has been explicitly emphasized as one of the key tools needed in the pursuit of the attainment of sustainable development in Africa. Compared to its global peers, Africa is light years behind in matters of space science and space technology. However, in recent times, African governments have embraced a paradigm shift and realized that the adoption of space-based technologies can enable inclusive economic growth and empower social development to their people. This paper seeks to examine how cost-effective, modern and advanced small satellites can play a pivotal role in earth observation and contribute to the achievement of sustainable development goals in Africa. It focuses on the economic benefits of data derived from small satellites deployed in earth observation missions to developing countries in Africa in monitoring food security, water resources, and wind patterns for clean energy generation using wind turbines, human settlements, land use, climate change, blue economy, air quality, and the environment. It then highlights a case study of South Africa, a country that has remarkably adopted small satellite technology to advance its development agenda. Lastly, it provides a policy framework that is needed to ensure small satellite programs for earth observation missions become successful in Africa.