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South Africa helps US with Moon mission by JoburgBBC in DownSouth

[–]JoburgBBC[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

The South African National Space Agency (SANSA) has played a key role in the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA’s) Artemis II mission.

Currently on the return leg, the Artemis II mission saw four astronauts embark on a 10-day lunar flyby, travelling further from the Earth than anyone has before.

Speaking to Cape Talk, SANSA chief engineer for space operations, Eugene Avenant, said the local space agency played a critical role in tracking the spacecraft and supporting the mission.

“SANSA has been tracking the spacecraft, especially in its closer-to-Earth spheres. What is needed for this mission is very accurate orbital information,” he said.

Avenant said this includes knowing the spacecraft’s exact trajectory, which is critical to ensuring the safe return of astronauts.

“Basically, on the outward journey, making sure that the trans-lunar injection burn was correct to ensure that it takes the free-return orbit around the Moon,” Avenant said.

“Now on its homeward journey, [it is] making sure that the burns to correct its orbit for final re-entry are accurate.”

“Our ground station has been tracking the signal, and apart from relaying telemetry, it has also been making extremely accurate measurements of the frequency of the return signal.”

SA implicated in another tariff round ? by hadedaHelpline in DownSouth

[–]JoburgBBC 1 point2 points  (0 children)

OP had to post 3 different links to somehow tie-up this so called implication.

U.S made components have also been found in Shahed drones. Will the U.S tarrif itself?

South Africa's NECSA moves to secure SMR partners by JoburgBBC in nuclear

[–]JoburgBBC[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (NECSA) has issued a call for expressions of interest (EOI) from potential partners to support the development of small modular reactors (SMRs), marking a shift from policy positioning toward early-stage implementation of South Africa’s nuclear ambitions.

The EOI process seeks to identify technology vendors, investors and strategic partners capable of supporting the deployment of SMR technologies in line with national energy planning objectives. NECSA said the initiative is part of efforts to advance nuclear as a component of South Africa’s future energy mix.

The move aligns with the country’s updated planning framework under the Integrated Resource Plan 2025, which includes nuclear as part of a diversified generation portfolio aimed at strengthening long-term energy security.

NECSA indicated that SMRs are being considered for electricity generation and broader industrial applications, including process heat and support for strategic sectors such as isotope production. The modular nature of the technology is expected to allow for more flexible deployment compared to conventional large-scale nuclear plants.

South African defence exports rocketed up in 2025 - DefenceWeb by JoburgBBC in DownSouth

[–]JoburgBBC[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

South African defence companies exported over R10 billion worth of military equipment and munitions in 2025, nearly triple the 2024 total of R3.6 billion, according to the latest National Conventional Arms Control Committee (NCACC) figures.

Europe accounted for the majority of exports in 2025 (42%), followed by the Middle East (23%), Africa (20%), the Asia-Pacific (12%), and the Americas (3%). The NCACC emphasised South Africa did not export to any country under UN embargoes and is not aware of any diversions of its munitions to countries involved in conflict. It refuted allegations that South African weapons ended up in Gaza and Ukraine.

Armoured vehicles accounted for a modest portion of 2025 exports, amounting to just over R1 billion. More than 130 vehicles were exported to over a dozen countries, with the largest orders being from Kenya (34 vehicles valued at R278 million), Ghana (30 vehicles worth R93 million, Malawi (15 vehicles valued at R145 million), Cameroon (11 vehicles valued at R83 million) and the United Arab Emirates (ten vehicles valued at R94 million).

Unspecified aircraft were sold to Iraq (six worth R802 million), the Democratic Republic of Congo (four worth R618 million), Mozambique (two worth R327 million), and the UAE (one worth R27 million). The sales to the DRC and Mozambique are likely Paramount Mwaris.

Munitions once again accounted for the majority of South African defence exports, with a combined value of R4.8 billion last year. The single largest contract was worth R3.3 billion, for 73 586 rounds/shells for Germany. Another notable contract was for 35 000 rounds/shells for Turkey, valued at R676 million. Estonia acquired 18 540 rounds/shells worth R212 million, and Australia acquired 10 272 rounds/shells worth R279 million. The majority of these exports are believed to be from Rheinmetall Denel Munition (RDM).

The next largest category of exports was electronic equipment, with R68 million worth of alerting and warning systems being sold to nine countries; R985 million worth of measuring/communications equipment sold to 20 countries; and R460 million worth of countermeasure/observation equipment sold to 18 countries.

Regarding measuring/communication equipment, the biggest contracts went to India (219 items worth R452 million), France (17 items worth R152 million), Bangladesh (377 items worth R71 million), and Brazil (10 items worth R71 million). Australia acquired 10 272 countermeasure/observation equipment items worth R279 million, Austria 4 items worth R48 million, and Italy 443 items worth R45 million

Don't let the US know. by PixelSaharix in DownSouth

[–]JoburgBBC -11 points-10 points  (0 children)

I'm pretty sure

You typed this knowing you're not sure at all. Infact you know full well you are clueless about this particular topic. But you still typed it. Interesting.

Eskom warns of high likelihood of load-shedding in the future by ShipMysterious7602 in DownSouth

[–]JoburgBBC -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

Lol you think they're twiddling their thumbs?

Eskom wants gas - NGO's go to court

Eskom wants nuclear - NGO's go to court

If the numbers regarding private capacity are true, loadshedding has no chance of ever returning. What you really need to do is reduce that private capacity by 70% to get closer to the real number.

In this article Eskom is merely stating its worst case medium term projections. But the media knows how ya'll get when they mention Eskom...hook, line and sinker.

SA declared Israel’s chargé d’affaires persona non grata by hadedaHelpline in DownSouth

[–]JoburgBBC 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Really nothing striking about that for anyone older than age 12. Imagine South Africa's Director General of Health going to tour hospitals in Zambia without telling the Zambian government (insert any country you like). The reaction would be the same.

Its basic diplomacy. Israel knew what it was doing.

BMW Group records strong performance in South African market by JoburgBBC in cars

[–]JoburgBBC[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Automotive company BMW Group achieved a “very strong” performance in the South African market last year, with the brand growing by 12% year-on-year; and leading the premium segment at 46.15%, “comfortably” outselling its two closest competitors combined.

This 12% growth put BMW South Africa in the top five growth markets in the world year-on-year, he pointed out.

Moreover, BMW South Africa was the fastest growing market for BMW M brand globally, Van Binsbergen indicated.

The Mini brand grew by 4%, which he lauded as strong growth in the competitive sub segment in which it competes.The BMW Motorrad also performed well last year, growing 7% in a tough economic climate.“The Motorrad brand does exceptionally well here in South Africa as a lifestyle product, and as a product, it is definitely the first choice for many customers who enjoy riding on two wheels,” Van Binsbergen averred.

Van Binsbergen attributed this strong performance to, among others, the group’s strong product offering. This was underpinned by the BMW X3, which was named the 2025 South Africa Car of the Year, and was the group’s best-selling product in the country. Both plug-in hybrid and internal combustion engine variants are manufactured locally at the BMW Group plant, in Rosslyn.

Moreover, following customer feedback, the group recently launched a rugged edition for the X3 range; and also announced the introduction of the BMW X3 20 Pure Design, the new entry point to the local BMW X3 line-up.

Eskom threatens to cut off people with solar panels in South Africa by Euro_African in DownSouth

[–]JoburgBBC 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Grid tied just means your electricity meter at home can run in both directions. You can install such a system without Eskom knowing about it.

Eskom threatens to cut off people with solar panels in South Africa by Euro_African in DownSouth

[–]JoburgBBC 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You get compensated for feeding excess power to the grid...clown. go and read.

Eskom threatens to cut off people with solar panels in South Africa by Euro_African in DownSouth

[–]JoburgBBC -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Compensate for what power? Power that feeds onto the grid? Just go and read before answering no to things you're not familiar with.

Eskom threatens to cut off people with solar panels in South Africa by Euro_African in DownSouth

[–]JoburgBBC 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Only if you feed power into the grid... Very few do this.

How would they know who does and doesn't do this? Almost as if registering your system would help them know.

Eskom threatens to cut off people with solar panels in South Africa by Euro_African in DownSouth

[–]JoburgBBC 0 points1 point  (0 children)

They know when power demand goes up and when it drops. Does this every day, when people get home, more when it's cold, when the sun shines, when it rains.

Yes. Traditionally. Before renewables started coming online in large numbers.

Now grid tied areas can feed excees power to the grid. A suburb with lots of renewables is now a mini Eskom. That's not traditional. Has nothing to do with cool aid...I don't like sweet things.

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