[04-19-10] Brazil, India and the Republic of South Africa signed an agreement to develop and launch a new civil satellite program into space, government officials from the countries confirmed April 16 at the ISBA Summit, held in Brazil.
South Africa will provide the platform for a pair of satellites, with most of the instruments provided and installed by Brazil. The spacecraft will be launched by India in 2012 and 2014. The first satellite will be used for Earth observation and the other for space weather and climate studies.
“A joint satellite could lend support areas like agriculture, education, energy, health, information and communications, trade and transport responding to the modern world,” South African President Jacob Zuma said in a statement.
Details of the satellite’s budget have not been released.
Related Stories-
ISRO Cryogenic Launch Fails; GSAT-4 Lost Satellite Today April 16, 2010
[04-16-10] The launch of Indian Space Research Organization s (ISRO) GSLV-D3 rocket carrying the GSAT-4 communications satellite has failed due to a third-stage engine malfunction that resulted in total loss of control of the…
South African Government Becomes Majority Owner of Private Satellite Operator 
Satellite News February 16, 2010
[02-16-10] The South African government has purchased a majority share in SunSpace, a private, domestic spin-off satellite development research company, in an effort to boost the country s space program, state cabinet officials…
China, Brazil to Sign Satellite Data Exchange Agreement Satellite Today April 1, 2010
[04-01-10] The governments of China and Brazil have agreed to share satellite data with each other and with developing countries including in Africa, a Brazilian official in Beijing announced March 31.
