Sumbandilasat has been awarded a SABS Design Excellence Award in the category: “Information, communication, technology and electronics”. The Sumbandilasat is a small earth observation satellite, weighing 82 kg, that produces image data to assist in disaster management, crop estimation, urbanisation patterns and more. Sumbandilasat is said to deliver imaging performance that is not equalled by any other satellite in its weight class. Despite South Africa not having a formal space programme at the time, the satellite was completed on time and on budget and is proof of South Africa’s ability to be self-sufficient when it comes to certain spatial data requirements. The SABS Design Institute makes a number of awards every year in various categories mainly to showcase the incredible technology, engineering and science product developments that have been completed in South Africa. The evaluation process starts with nominations, initial evaluation, presentation to a judging panel and, upon deliberation, award. This year the judging panel had an international flavour which included Leimei Julia Chiu, the Executive Director of JIDPO (Japan Industrial Design Promotion Organisation). Clearly, this organisation dwarfs the SABS Design Institute in size and operation, so the judging applied for the 2010 awards was of a particularly high standard.
Contact Ron Olivier, Sun Space, Tel 021 880-8100,
rolivier@sunspace.co.za