Small satellites for socio-economic benefit and the role of IGMASS in natural resources and disaster mangement

Background:

The Global community today faces a series of common challenges including the effects of climate change and the management of depleting natural resources. International efforts to addressing these challenges include the use of small satellites which offer innovative solutions for monitoring and managing natural resources, enhance sustainable urban and territorial development initiatives, facilitate the conservation of forests and valuable biodiversity habitats. Small satellites offer indispensable means to harnessing renewable energies, predicting natural disasters and support the work of emergency response teams during crises.

This Conference will take place in the framework of the IAA and SGAC strategy plans in fostering the advancement in space application using small satellites, with the view to encourage international scientific cooperation and partnership between space faring and developing nations.

Purpose, Aims and Objectives:

• Convene and facilitate a free and open exchange of views among experts from government, organizations and research institutions in order to explore concrete steps and realistic programs towards the designing, building and launching of a small satellite in Africa.
• Education and public outreach on the objectives and work of Space Generation Advisory Council to encourage government support and African youth’s participation on small satellite programmes.
• Increase Africa’s awareness of and the role of the International Global Monitoring Aerospace System (IGMASS) regarding the forecasting, early warning, and prevention of natural and man-made disasters.
• Establish partnership between scientific community; government and the public in the exchange and transfer of up-to-date knowledge and state-of-the-art-technology that will strengthen multi-disciplinary cooperation in the field of earth remote-sensing small satellites.
• Support career development, capacity building in basic space technology and to promote the use of space technology and its applications for sustainable development

Conference Structure
The Conference will comprise of non-parallel sessions (involving presentations, lectures, and discussions), meetings, poster sessions and exhibitions. An Abstract volume will be distributed at the conference. There will be a number of key note speakers, which will be announce in the final circular with the final conference programme. SGAC Africa NPoCs are expected to have two side events and a meeting during the three-day conference. The meeting could be a forum to discuss preparatory steps towards the IAC 2011 in South Africa and ways to improve Africa’s preparation and participation. Side events could include talks about SGAC activities delivered to youths and students in nearby schools and town hall with the view to reach our to more youths and students in Cameroon.

Output:
The discussion is expected to offer tangible guidelines and commercial benefits on the uses and applications of small satellites in promoting natural resource management and sustainable development in Africa. The discussion will also suggest ways of through which realistic small satellite programs can be achieved through international cooperation and how African governments can provide the necessary administrative and financial support. The final deliverables of the conference will include an organizational factual summary and conference final document, which will be posted in the websites of the conference host and sent to all conference participants, relevant organizations and agencies.

Publication plans to accomplish special issue in Acta Astronautica
Selected papers presented will be selected for publication to accompany the special issue of Acta Astronautica in 2011.

Additional Information:
Please visit website for more information on submitting papers, visiting Cameroon and travel information.