African space initiative eyes participation in China’s Chang’e-8 lunar mission, embraces openness and inclusiveness
Global Times article by By Deng Xiaoci
"Africa is seeking to move from being a participant in space science discussions to becoming an active contributor to humanity's exploration of the Moon and deep space, with the "Africa2Moon" initiative representing a new chapter in the continent's space ambitions, Carla Mitchell, mission director of the Africa2Moon initiative and Africa Program manager at the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO), told the Global Times in a recent exclusive interview.
The Africa2Moon program is more than a single scientific mission. It represents Africa's long-term ambition to participate meaningfully in global space exploration by developing engineering capabilities, strengthening scientific collaboration and inspiring a new generation of African scientists and engineers, said Mitchell.
At the center of the initiative, which aims to deploy low-frequency radio astronomy antennas, the Bounced African Low Lunar Sphere (BALLS), on the lunar surface as part of future lunar exploration missions, including potential participation in China's Chang'e-8 lunar exploration mission."
The full articel can be read here.
Carla Mitchell (left), mission director for Africa's Bounced African Low Lunar Sphere, and Japie Ludick, South African Radio Astronomy Observatory engineer, with one of the BALLS spheres that underwent testing. Photo: Courtesy of Africa2Moon
