{"id":71507,"date":"2016-03-30T19:59:25","date_gmt":"2016-03-30T11:59:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp-productionenv-bjg9h2g2bgg5b8aa.southeastasia-01.azurewebsites.net\/news\/generation-next-betty-ntlhe-south-african-national-space-agency\/"},"modified":"2016-03-30T19:59:25","modified_gmt":"2016-03-30T11:59:25","slug":"generation-next-betty-ntlhe-south-african-national-space-agency","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/news\/generation-next-betty-ntlhe-south-african-national-space-agency\/","title":{"rendered":"Generation Next: Betty Ntlhe, South African National Space Agency"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>When Betty Ntlhe saw a rocket thundering into the sky carrying a satellite into space on TV, it was more than just a cool event. The sight inspired her to pursue a career in the satellite industry, culminating in her current role as a satellite operations technician at the South African National Space Agency (SANSA). After seeing several of these televised launches, Ntlhe says she began asking questions about the space industry, and it was that quest that brought her to SANSA.<\/p>\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Placeholder alt text\" src=\"http:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/marquee-test-akiaisur2rgicbmpehea\/Bp7g4UJQzuvEcoS8pKNa_Betty_Ntlhe.png\"><\/figure>\n<p>\u201cAt some point, I dreamed of becoming an astronaut myself. It was then when I realized that the space industry is very broad, with many disciplines within the industry, and I learned that I can study engineering for me to take part,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" src=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/s49fDTFkT1CDAQFNY8oG_01_VS_030116_Cover-300x225.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" style=\"width: 120px; height: auto;\" decoding=\"async\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/s49fDTFkT1CDAQFNY8oG_01_VS_030116_Cover-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/s49fDTFkT1CDAQFNY8oG_01_VS_030116_Cover-800x599.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/s49fDTFkT1CDAQFNY8oG_01_VS_030116_Cover-640x480.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/s49fDTFkT1CDAQFNY8oG_01_VS_030116_Cover.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\">\t\t\t<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"fs-5 mt-0\">Explore the April 2016 Issue<\/h3>\n<p class=\"mb-0 fs-smaller text-balance\">Check out more from this issue and find your next story to read.<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t<button class=\"btn btn-primary\" type=\"button\" data-bs-toggle=\"offcanvas\" data-bs-target=\"#offcanvasMENU\" aria-controls=\"offcanvasExample\" aria-label=\"button\" style=\"white-space: nowrap;\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\tView More <i class=\"bi bi-arrow-right-circle\"><\/i><br \/>\n\t\t\t<\/button><\/p>\n<p>Ntlhe\u2019s responsibilities at SANSA include the operation, maintenance and monitoring of Radio Frequency (RF) and electronic equipment associated with satellite data acquisition and operations. She now plays an integral role in the very thing she used to watch on TV by participating in Tracking Telemetry and Command (TT&amp;C) operations for satellites and launch vehicles, including Launch and Early Orbit Operations (LEOP) for other space agencies and satellite operators.<\/p>\n<p>Having realized her dream, Ntlhe says she became aware of how few women are involved in the industry. Rather than getting discouraged, she doubled down on becoming her best. \u201cBeing given the opportunity to participate in launch support, while at times being the only female, has influenced my growth in this stream in a very positive manner. I now further my studies so that I can learn more about RF and microwave principles. My aim is to learn more and grow further in the satellite industry,\u201d she adds.<\/p>\n<p>Ntlhe says there is a lot of excitement about the space industry in South Africa right now mainly because people are becoming more aware of what the industry does and the opportunities it presents. Furthermore, people have learned of ways satellites contribute to South Africa, which cultivates a desire to know more. \u201cIf more and more technological breakthroughs can be made, the space program can change people\u2019s lifestyles, raise living standards and boost economic developments more, as it has happened in history each time humans explored unknown territories. The exponential growth of scientific knowledge and continuing development in technology will improve living conditions in the world,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n<p>Envisioning the future 10 years from now, Ntlhe says that, as space travel becomes more commonplace, knowledge in and of the space industry will grow concurrently. She anticipates developments here will spur on the next generation, as it essentially did for her. \u201cChildren and young people find the subject of space and space travel to be uniquely fascinating, and the possibility to travel to space themselves \u2014 especially at an affordable price \u2014 is of much greater interest in young people than watching people traveling to space or than simulating traveling to space,\u201d she says. <strong>VS<\/strong><\/p>\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Placeholder alt text\" src=\"http:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/marquee-test-akiaisur2rgicbmpehea\/bQWxP96RRA6DUsS6DAO9_NatlElecMuseum_VS_0416dig.jpg\"><\/figure>\n<p>,<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"widget-title\">In This Issue<\/h2>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t<!-- post id 204:  \/code\/wp-content\/themes\/ai-beehive\/template-parts\/content\/post-snippet.php --><\/p>\n<figure class=\"overflow-hidden w-100 me-3\">\n<p>\t<img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"263\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/1zk96LpnTn2DfsrNi68U_027_VS_040116_Ft2-263x300.jpg\" class=\"img-responsive wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" style=\"\" decoding=\"async\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/1zk96LpnTn2DfsrNi68U_027_VS_040116_Ft2-263x300.jpg 263w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/1zk96LpnTn2DfsrNi68U_027_VS_040116_Ft2-702x800.jpg 702w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/1zk96LpnTn2DfsrNi68U_027_VS_040116_Ft2-640x729.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/1zk96LpnTn2DfsrNi68U_027_VS_040116_Ft2.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 263px) 100vw, 263px\">\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n<h3 class=\"fs-4 w-100 line-clamp-3\">\n<p>\t\t\t\tBandwidth Management and Optimization<br \/>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n<p><!-- .post-snippet --><\/p>\n<hr class=\"my-3 d-block d-md-none\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<!-- post id 203:  \/code\/wp-content\/themes\/ai-beehive\/template-parts\/content\/post-snippet.php --><\/p>\n<figure class=\"overflow-hidden w-100 me-3\">\n<p>\t<img width=\"300\" height=\"181\" src=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/arMDln3MRYeny1VGoMbJ_Mobile20Devices20on20Table-300x181.jpg\" class=\"img-responsive wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" style=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/arMDln3MRYeny1VGoMbJ_Mobile20Devices20on20Table-300x181.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/arMDln3MRYeny1VGoMbJ_Mobile20Devices20on20Table-800x482.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/arMDln3MRYeny1VGoMbJ_Mobile20Devices20on20Table-640x386.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/arMDln3MRYeny1VGoMbJ_Mobile20Devices20on20Table.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\">\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n<h3 class=\"fs-4 w-100 line-clamp-3\">\n<p>\t\t\t\tPay-TV Operators Evolve to Survive<br \/>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n<p><!-- .post-snippet --><\/p>\n<hr class=\"my-3\">\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t<!-- post id 207:  \/code\/wp-content\/themes\/ai-beehive\/template-parts\/content\/post-snippet.php --><\/p>\n<figure class=\"overflow-hidden w-100 me-3\">\n<p>\t<img width=\"300\" height=\"166\" src=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/crtlIX4bTCCoaLLRASPz_Regional_RoundUp_Map-300x166.jpg\" class=\"img-responsive wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" style=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/crtlIX4bTCCoaLLRASPz_Regional_RoundUp_Map-300x166.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/crtlIX4bTCCoaLLRASPz_Regional_RoundUp_Map-800x443.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/crtlIX4bTCCoaLLRASPz_Regional_RoundUp_Map-640x355.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/crtlIX4bTCCoaLLRASPz_Regional_RoundUp_Map.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\">\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n<h3 class=\"fs-4 w-100 line-clamp-3\">\n<p>\t\t\t\tRegional Roundup: April 2016<br \/>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n<p><!-- .post-snippet --><\/p>\n<hr class=\"my-3 d-block d-md-none\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<!-- post id 205:  \/code\/wp-content\/themes\/ai-beehive\/template-parts\/content\/post-snippet.php --><\/p>\n<figure class=\"overflow-hidden w-100 me-3\">\n<p>\t<img width=\"300\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/cBZsPMSSmgQeTwcubwAp_Opinion_Bubbles_Web-300x300.jpg\" class=\"img-responsive wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" style=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/cBZsPMSSmgQeTwcubwAp_Opinion_Bubbles_Web-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/cBZsPMSSmgQeTwcubwAp_Opinion_Bubbles_Web-800x800.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/cBZsPMSSmgQeTwcubwAp_Opinion_Bubbles_Web-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/cBZsPMSSmgQeTwcubwAp_Opinion_Bubbles_Web-640x640.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/cBZsPMSSmgQeTwcubwAp_Opinion_Bubbles_Web.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\">\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n<h3 class=\"fs-4 w-100 line-clamp-3\">\n<p>\t\t\t\tThe Importance of Capacity Building<br \/>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n<p><!-- .post-snippet --><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When Betty Ntlhe saw a rocket thundering into the sky carrying a satellite into space on TV, it was more than just a cool event. The sight inspired her to pursue a career in the satellite industry, culminating in her current role as a satellite operations technician at the South African National Space Agency (SANSA). [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":71508,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-71507","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/71507"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=71507"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/71507\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/71508"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=71507"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=71507"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=71507"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}