Space technology

New X-band antenna at Hartebeesthoek hard at work An investment of R22 million by the CSIR in a state-of-the-art X-band antenna has bolstered the capacity of its Satellite Applications Centre to track more earth observation satellites and increase its archive of earth observation data.

CSIR supports launch of Kepler mission The launch on 6 March 2009 of NASA's Kepler mission received a helping, albeit remotely located, hand from the CSIR Satellite Applications Centre. The Kepler mission is a space telescope designed to discover Earth-like planets orbiting other stars.