Cabinet last week approved the establishment of a South African space agency, to co-ordinate and implement the country`s space science and technology programmes.
This is according to government information portal BuaNews, which adds Cabinet said the agency would co-ordinate its activities closely with the South African Council for Space Affairs, and would report to the science and technology minister.
Major players include the University of Stellenbosch, SunSpace and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research Application Centre.
An 80kg micro-satellite, which will orbit the earth at a height of 500km, is being built as part of an integrated national space programme developed by government to provide the country with affordable access to space technology and data.
"Satellites are monitoring almost all aspects of the world`s climate systems," says Prof Sias Mostert of Stellenbosch University`s department of electrical engineering.
This includes measuring temperatures at sea and land, clouds and rainfall, winds, sea level, ice cover, vegetation cover and gases, he adds.
The Agency for Science and Technology Advancement has invited grade seven to 12 learners to take part in a competition to come up with a "truly African name" for the space agency.
Spokesmen for the science and technology department were unavailable for comment this morning, and it is unclear when the space agency will be established.
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