South Africa has many world-class research and industrial facilities. In order to showcase the South African technological capabilities and research capacity, all IAC 2011 delegates are invited to visit the facilities listed below at the indicated times. Please make a booking with and direct enquiries to Pierre van Heerden pierre@saao.ac.za.

Please note that all delegates must arrange for their own transport and (if necessary) accommodation. The following transport operators are recommended:

 

• Chris de Coning of Over The Moon Tours: call +27 (0)83 448 5889

chris@overthemoontours.co.za

• Atlantic Car Hire 021 3850178 

• CityGuideSA

France-South Africa Institute of Technology (Cape Town)

The facilities include the administrative offices of F'SATI, as well the laboratory which hosts the students involved in the Professional Development and Skills Retention programme, who are actively developing F'SATIs 1U and 3U CubeSats. Other facilities include our clean room for satellite integration, rapid PCB prototyping equipment and ground station.

The facility may be visited on Tuesday, 4 October, and Wednesday, 5 October.

Website: fsati.ac.za

Address: Symphony Way (off Modderdam Road), Bellville, Cape Town

Coordinates: 33.932°S 18.640°E

 

Institute for Satellite and Software Applications (Grabouw)

ISSA features satellite assembly and integration facilities as well as facilities to determine the mechanical properties of satellites and several test facilities, including vibration, electromagnetic compatibility, acousitc noise and thermal vacuum. ISSA will soon be integrated into the South African National Space Agency.

The facility may be visited on Tuesday, 4 October, and Thursday, 6 October, leaving Cape Town at 08:30 and 12:30 to arrive at 10:00 and 14:00 respectively. Tours will last approximately 2 hours. It will take approximately 1h30m to travel from Cape Town to Grabouw.

Address: High Rising Road, Grabouw

Coordinates: 34.225°S 19.129°E

 

South African National Space Agency - Space Sciences Directorate (Hermanus)

The facility is located in Hermanus and functions as an active participant in the worldwide network of magnetic observatories (INTERMAGNET), which monitor and model variations of the Earth's magnetic field. SANSA Space Science is also one of thirteen Regional Warning Centres globally that forms part of the ISES (International Space Environment Service) Regional Warning Centre network. Specifically, SANSA Space Science is appointed as the Regional Warning Centre for Africa.

The facility may be visited on Thursday, 6 October. It will take approximately 2 hours to travel from Cape Town to Hermanus.

Website: www.space-sci.sansa.org.za

Address: 1 Hospital Street, Hermanus

Coordinates: 34.423°S 19.225°E

 

MeerKAT/SKA South Africa Engineering Offices (Cape Town)

The MeerKAT array, currently taking shape in South Africa's Karoo region, is a world-class radio telescope designed to do ground-breaking science. It will be the largest and most sensitive radio telescope in the southern hemisphere until the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) is completed around 2024. Via MeerKAT, South Africa is playing a key role in design and technology developments for the SKA.

Tours of the MeerKAT offices in Cape Town will be conducted on Tuesday, 4 October, starting at 09:00, 11:00 and 14:00. Tours will last approximately 1h30m. In order to arrive at the offices in time for the tours, leave maximum half and hour from the centre of town.

To book accommodation in Carnarvon please book or enquire through the website.

Website: www.ska.ac.za

Address: 3rd Floor, The Park, Park Road, Pinelands, Cape Town

Coordinates: 33.943°S 18.489°E

 

MeerKAT/SKA South Africa Observing Facility (Carnarvon)

The MeerKAT array, currently taking shape in South Africa's Karoo region, is a world-class radio telescope designed to do ground-breaking science. It will be the largest and most sensitive radio telescope in the southern hemisphere until the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) is completed around 2024. Via MeerKAT, South Africa is playing a key role in design and technology developments for the SKA.

Tours of the observing facility near Carnarvon (under construction) will be conducted on Sunday, 9 October. It is a long way from Cape Town, and to make this trip you need to plan for a two night, three day trip.

Website: www.ska.ac.za

Address: Karoo Support Base, Kleurefontein (Carnvarvon District)

Coordinates (Carnarvon): 30.721°S 21.411°E

 

South African Astronomical Observatory Headquarters (Cape Town)

The South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO) is the national centre for optical and infrared astronomy in South Africa. Its prime function is to conduct fundamental research in astronomy and astrophysics by providing a world-class facility and by promoting astronomy and astrophysics in Southern Africa.

The SAAO's headquarters are in Observatory, Cape Town which is both a modern, world-class research facility and the home to many historical items and buildings that map the development of astronomy in Southern Africa.

Website: www.saao.ac.za

Address: Observatory Rd., Observatory, Cape Town

Coordinates: 33.935°S 18.478°E

 

South African Astronomical Observatory Observing Facility (Sutherland)

The South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO) is the national centre for optical and infrared astronomy in South Africa. Its prime function is to conduct fundamental research in astronomy and astrophysics by providing a world-class facility and by promoting astronomy and astrophysics in Southern Africa.

The main observing facility is located near Sutherland (ca. 350km from Cape Town, about 4 hours drive by car), which is also home to the Southern African Large Telescope (SALT) and many other foreign and multi-national telescopes.

Please see www.karoohoogland.co.za/Sutherraccom.htm for details about accommodation. It is advisable to book accommodation in advance as from time to time Sutherland can be fully booked out.

Website: www.saao.ac.za

Address: Old Fraserburg Road, Sutherland

Coordinates: 32.378°S 20.806°E

 

iThemba LABS

The iThemba Laboratory for Accelerator-Based Sciences is a group of multi-disciplinary research laboratories administered by the National Research Foundation, focusing on:

• Basic and applied research using particle beams
• Particle radiotherapy for the treatment of cancer
• The supply of accelerator-produced radioactive isotopes for nuclear medicine and research

Tours of the Western Cape facility of iThemba Labs may be scheduled from Tuesday, 4 October, until Thursday, 6 October.

Website: www.tlabs.ac.za

Address: Old Faure Road, Faure, Cape Town

Coordinates: 34.025°S 18.716°E