For the first time in 4 billion years of life on Earth, we are expanding beyond our home planet with permanent bases planned for the Moon this decade as a gateway to Mars and beyond; while almost 70 years of technological capability in Earth orbit has resulted in a space economy approaching a trillion dollars as well as decades of experience of human habitation there.

The benefits of space technology are vast and profound: from enabling global financial transactions, transportation and communication; to providing Earth observation and climate science data for resource management and environmental protection; to driving discovery and advancement in engineering, science and healthcare in extreme environments; as well as being a catalyst for education, inspiration and international collaboration.

The Outer Space Treaty of 1967 establishes space as the province of all humanity, declaring it free for exploration and use by all nations without discrimination for peaceful purposes. But what is Africa’s role in space exploration?