National Research Foundation Annual Report 2008 / 2009 [Part 2]

NRF impact report 2008/09impact!Space science and technology is one of the Department ofScience & Technology’s (DST’s) “Grand Challenges”, a commitmentthat has been underscored by the establishment of theSouth African National Space Agency (SANSA).Lofty ideals for an emerging economy?Should reaching for the stars really take precedence over moregrassroots development needs?Yes, says the research. For South Africa, the pathto a knowledge society leads through the stars.In this Impact Report we highlight a sample ofNational Research Foundation (NRF)-funded research projects,many of which are astronomy-based. All, though, havetheir feet firmly on South African soil, with the needsof her people guiding every step they take ...