Sudan in Space

Satellite remote sensing is the most active area of space technology in Sudan. The Remote Sensing and Seismology Authority (RSSA) in Sudan was established in the 1970s under the National Centre of Research and it has ever been representing Sudan in Space Related bodies and have strong connections with Space Community at local, regional and international levels. In 2013, the then-Sudanese government led by President Omar al-Bashir established the Institute of Space Research and Aerospace (ISRA) as part of an overall plan to develop space technologies.

Sudan as a developing country recognized the importance of space science and applications for the fundamental knowledge of the universe, education, health, environmental monitoring, management of natural resources, disaster management, meteorological forecasting and climate modelling, satellite navigation and communications, and the major contribution that space science and technology make to the well-being of humanity and specifically to economic, social and cultural development, Regarding space science and technology, Sudan developed a strategy that focuses on human and institutional capacity building in four major fields within various governmental institutes, those are:

1. Space technology applications for environmental monitoring and natural resources management mainly Remote Sensing and GIS Applications, within Remote Sensing Authority (RSA) — National Center for research (NCR)
2. Meteorological Forecasting, within Meteorological Authority
3. Satellite Communication With the Ministry of Science and Communication
4. Astronomy with University of Khartoum
5. Private sector such as Meirag Corporation involved in image processing, agricultural crop monitoring and yield estimation

Remote Sensing (RS) component of Sudan Space Science and Technology programs plays a vital role in sustainable development of the natural resources and its application started since the establishment of the Remote Sensing Authority, late in the 1970s. Remote Sensing Authority of Sudan is mandated to conduct research in the applications of space technology and to assist the government agencies, universities, and research institutes in the field of space technology applications, research, studies, and capacity building. It is involved in programs and activities that include project studies for natural resources management, environmental monitoring and disaster management, human capacity building through education, training, workshops, and awareness programs for professional as well as public awareness.

Sudan, with its diversified natural resources and climate ranging from hyper arid in the north to moist sub humid zone in the south, is one of the largest country in Africa. In such a vast country, it is advantageous to use space technology for sustainable development of natural resources. Remote Sensing, GIS and GPS as advanced technologies are used to enhance the availability, acquisition, analysis and output of environmental data. Also these technologies facilitate data and information accessibility and sharing, and support decision making. Land Use /Land cover assessment and monitoring is one of the major issues at focus. Information on rate and trend of cover changes are real indicators of development. The role of RSA, in this respect, is to sustain the availability and the accessibility of current information on land under agriculture, range and forest for the whole country.

Monitoring of environmental changes and management of disasters are major challenges to sustainable development. The diversified spectrum of environmental problems ranging from drought and desertification to bushfires and floods, necessitate the need to share information and work as community with a common purpose of improving the environmental management. Space Technology offers the opportunity to generate, analyse, and manage resource information to improve their development.

Three main programs at present utilize remote sensing data to produce quantitative information in format that is easily interpreted and used by decisionmaker; These programs are desertification monitoring program, flood assessment, and town environmental degradation assessment. Data availability, analysis and human capacity building are the main common components of these programs.

Sudan's first-ever satellite to carry out research in military, economic and space technology was launched by China. General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, head of Sudan's sovereign council, announced on 05 November 2019 the launch of the satellite at a meeting of his top security officials held in the capital, Khartoum. "The satellite aims to develop research in space technology, acquire data as well as discover natural resources for the country's military needs," a statement issued by the council said.

Xinhua, China's state news agency, reported that the Sudan Remote Sensing Satellite (SRSS-1), was launched on Sunday from the northern Chinese province of Shanxi. Spokesman of the ruling body, Mohamed al-Faki Suleiman told AFP news agency that "in a few months the satellite would be monitored from Sudan". And al-Faki said "China launched the satellite as it is a partner in this project".

Sudan, which is battling an economic crisis, has been involved in a national space programme for decades covering activities such as remote sensing and geo-informatics.