We advocate for transparency and accountability in Space. View from the Side talks are a platform where those who have represented Africa in international space forums may come share lessons learned.
View from the Sides is an ASLI Programme to promote accountability and transparency in African space policy and space affairs. Our aim is to provide a platform where those that represent Africans or African states in international and regional space forums may present lessons learned, disseminate new knowledge and constructively critique the prevailing discourses. Join our next View from the Sides!
The US-Africa Leaders Summit is taking place from 13-15 December 2022. Several events are scheduled to take place during the Summit, including the US-Africa Space Forum that is scheduled for the first day and sessions on astronomy on the second day. Meshack Ndiritu and Charles Takalana, part of the African delegations, will be sharing on the deliberations and outcome of the space-related sessions of the Summit.
Meshack Kinyua Ndiritu - Bio
Meshack Kinyua Ndiritu, Biography
Meshack is the Space Applications Training Officer at the African Union Commission. He oversees the institutional and human capacity development of the Global Monitoring for the Environment and Security in Africa (GMES & Africa) .which is a continental project in Earth Observation with a network of over 120 National and Regional institutions. Meshack’s emphasis has been on the integration of ICT with Earth Observation in areas like virtualization and cloud computing. GMES & Africa has redefined the delivery of Earth Observation services in the continent. Meshack is further acknowledged for his significant contribution to defining the African Outer Space Programme, and the subsequent establishment of the African Space Agency. He is passionate to see Emerging Nations play key roles in the Space 4.0, particularly in the cis-Lunar Economy.
He is a graduate and a specialist in Space Systems in which he is contributing in global bodies of expertise. His graduate project at Florida Institute of Technology focused on design of a Single-Stage-To Orbit (SSTO) winged vehicle. He is also a Graduate in Commercial Space Studies at ISU-Aldrin Center for Space Entrepreneurship.
Meshack is a member of two study groups of the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA) Study Group 4.19 on Promoting Global Space Knowledge and Expertise in Developing Countries, and IAA SG 4.26 on Cubesat Interface. He co-led the Space Technology for Disaster Management (STDM) Project of SGAC. He is an Alumnus of The Lindau Nobel Laureates Programme in Physics. He is a Graduate and instructor of the Cansat Leader Training Program (CLTP), which inspired him to co-found Omarichet Initiative for development of indigenous skills in satellite engineering.
Meshack is also the Satellites and Systems Advisor at QuantumCai which seeks to roll out space-based quantum systems. He is the Co-founder of Irradianz, which is keen to develop long-range wireless high-power transmission technologies for duo use on the Earth and other Celestial bodies such as Moon.
Charles Takalana
Dr Charles Mpho Takalana - Bio
Dr Charles Mpho Takalana is an astronomer from South Africa. He currently works at the African Astronomical Society (AfAS) as the Head of Secretariat, supporting the AfAS Executive Committee and the sub-committees, managing the AfAS secretariat and coordinating all AfAS projects to ensure that they achieve their objectives within the timelines and funding provided. Before his current employment, he was an Astronomy Policy Researcher at the South African Radio Astronomy observatory based at the South African Department of Science and Innovation (DSI). Charles’ work at the DSI involved supporting the implementation of the South African Multi-wavelength Astronomy strategy and the development of a vibrant astronomy community with the technical capacity to ensure the implementation of various astronomy projects. Charles is also involved in various education and outreach projects and is passionate about sharing astronomy with young people.
Play Event
The US-Africa Leaders Summit is taking place from 13-15 December 2022. Several events are scheduled to take place during the Summit, including the US-Africa Space Forum that is scheduled for the first day and sessions on astronomy on the second day. Meshack Ndiritu and Charles Takalana, part of the African delegations, will be sharing on the deliberations and outcome of the space-related sessions of the Summit.
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