NSBE - Winter 2013 - (Page 48)

freeDom east african spaceport feasibility By oBaDiaH kegege, PH.D., cHief tecHnologist, nsBe sPace sPecial interest grouP UhURU D uring the 2012 NSBE Aerospace Systems Conference in Los Angeles, Edward Tunstel, Ph.D., of the NSBE Space Special Interest Group (SIG), suggested, as a technical activity, that the group study the feasibility of a spaceport in East Africa. A spaceport is a site for launching spacecraft to, or receiving spacecraft from, orbit around Earth or interplanetary trajectories. At present, Sub-Saharan Africa does not have a spaceport, which is a major element of the space value chain. The NSBE Space SIG collaborated with industry partners to investigate the concept of an East African Spaceport, nicknamed “Uhuru,” which is a Swahili word that means “freedom.” The following people worked on the preliminary study: Kwesi Robotham of Futron Corporation; John Butler of Phezu Space, LLC; Ian Christensen of Futron Corporation; Allen Herbert of Isibizo Phezu Space, (Pty) Ltd South Africa; and Robert L. Howard, Ph.D., Obadiah Kegege, Ph.D. and Edward Tunstel, Ph.D. of the NSBE Space SIG. A stationary point at ground level on the Earth’s equator has the highest orbital speed as the Earth rotates. Thus, rockets launched eastward from an equatorial spaceport would travel faster relative to rockets launched from other latitudes. Consequently, payloads launched from • the equator can be delivered to space with lower fuel consumption rates. Several islands in the East African region offer the best sites for spacecraft launches to geostationary Earth orbit (GEO), low Earth orbit (LEO) or interplanetary trajectories. This preliminary investigation by the NSBE Space SIG focused on establishing a permanent spaceport in the East Africa region close to the equator, at a location accessible to the mainland and airports. The following facts stood out in the study: (1) very few equatorially located spaceports now exist, (2) Uhuru development and operation would provide advancement for the entire region and would help solidify the East African Community’s ability to make an imprint on the global advancement of mankind, and (3) the Uhuru Spaceport and the now defunct South African spaceport can be a dynamic force in covering equatorial and polar launches, respectively, which could make them the perfect partnership. The potential benefits of Uhuru include: sustainable revenue, infrastructure development, science and technology advancement, space competitiveness and global competitiveness. The NSBE Space SIG and industry partners recommended a comprehensive feasibility study covering all of the factors influencing the development and operation of Uhuru, to realize these potential benefits to the region. ■ www.nsbe.org 48 • CAREER ENGINEER • winter 2013 http://www.nsbe.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of NSBE - Winter 2013

NSBE - Winter 2013
Contents
Graduation! Pump Up the Party
Clean Up Your Digital Brand
Reelected
ITW’s Dr. Alexander Anim- Mensah
Steven Henderson of Life Technologies
Patricia Edmonds of NAVAIR
Franklin E. Leaven Jr. of GE Transportation
General Mills: Winning through Diversity
Eye of the Tiger
39TH ANNUAL CONVENTION PREVIEW
Golden Torch Honorees
The Professional’s Perspective
Trailblazers
Professional Development Conference Recap
CE Cover CODE2040: Grooming Business Leaders in Silicon Valley
Uhuru: Freedom
‘To Increase the Number…’
NSBE Calendar
NCEES Employer Profile
Advertisers Index

NSBE - Winter 2013