The Department of Science and Technology has appointed Britespark communications to manage the publicity campaign for South Africa's second (LEO) Low Earth Orbit satellite. The satellite is to be launched in both South Africa and Russia in December 2006.
The satellite, aptly named "Sumbandila" - Tshivenda for "lead the way", will rotate the earth at a 500km height and is part of an integrated national space programme developed by the government to provide the country with affordable access to space technology and data.
Sumbandila is the second satellite to be launched by the South African government after they launched Sunset in 2001.The major role players in this project include the University of Stellenbosch, SunSpace and CSIR (The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research).The 80kg micro satellite that will rotate the earth at a 500 km height is part of an integral national space programme developed by the government to provide the country with affordable access to space technology and data.
The name, Sumbandila was chosen from more than 3000 entries in competition among South Africa's grade 7-12 school learners by the South African Science and Technology Advancement.
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Britespark Communications was established in 2002 and has over the years built a client base which includes the Business woman's association (BWA), Unisa - School of Business Leadership, Nedbank, Drum the film, Nissan South Africa and the Limpopo Tourism and Parks board to name a few. They also coordinated the publicity for the Nedbank Inanda and Umlazi branch openings in Durban on the 14th and 15th June respectively.
