Overview:

SANSA installs a state-of-the-art Optical Space Research Laboratory (OSR) at the South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO) in Sutherland to provide space science data to meet national and international obligations, raise the standard of South African research, supply information about the Earth’s middle and upper atmosphere and enhance scientific development.
SANSA Timeline Stories SANSA installs a state-of-the-art Optical Space Research Laboratory (OSR) at the South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO) in Sutherland to provide space science data to meet national and international obligations, raise the standard of South African research, supply information about the Earth’s middle and upper atmosphere and enhance scientific development.

SANSA Frequently Asked Questions.

1. What is Earth observation?

Earth observation refers to the gathering of information about Earth’s chemical and biological systems using remote sensing technology and other field techniques.

2. What is remote sensing?

Remote sensing is the science of acquiring information about an object without being in physical contact with it.

3. Which satellite data does SANSA EO provide?

Online satellite images: SPOT 1- 6, LANDSAT 5 and 7, CBERS 2, SAC-C, and SumbandilaSat. We are resellers of Digital Globe products (World View 1-3, Geo Eye1, Quick Bird 2, and IKONOS), AIRBUS Products (Pleiades and TerraSAR-X) and MDA Products (RadarSAT).

4. Can I get earth observation sample data and information?

Yes, you can get SPOT and PLEIADES images using this link: http://www.geo-airbusds.com/en/23-sample-imagery

5. What are Value Added Products (VAPs)?

Value Added Products (VAPs) are the products derived from satellite images by physically changing those images in a way which enhances their value. For example, Human Settlement, Flood Potential and NDVI (normalised difference vegetation index) layers are all VAPs extracted from satellite images.

5. Where can I access training materials and tutorials?

Students, government officials and any person interested in learning some basic to advanced skills in remote sensing can visit our Fundisa Portal Page http://fundisa.sansa.org.za/ to access a range of tutorials, links to open source software, and training data.

6. What are possible applications that I can use earth observation data for?

Earth Observation data can be applied in a wide range of fields, including but not limited to disaster management (floods, fire, drought mapping), settlement mapping, land cover/use mapping, water resource management, and vegetation management.

6. Do I need approval from a supervisor before ordering the data?

Yes. If you are a student, your supervisor has to acknowledge the project in writing to eocustomers@sansa.org.za.

7. Are there any science outreach programmes to learners and communities at large?

Science advancement is one of the priority programmes at SANSA, aiming to reach learners and community members across South Africa, to educate them about a range of opportunities that exist in the space sector.