Passive to Active Space and the Role of Space Assets in Sustainable Development

Abstract

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development was designed to promote better living conditions for Earth and its inhabitants through the implementation of several goals that drive technological innovation and developments; these goals are also geared towards inclusive solutions for the populace and environmental protection for the long term preservation of Earth. The focus of the UN 2030 Agenda is to ensure that both developed and emerging countries benefit from the goals unlike the Millennium Development Goals which focused on developing countries. One of the prominent and viable contributors to these goals is the availability and the use of various space assets launched to space and the supporting infrastructure located on Earth. As a cutting edge technology, space assets are poised to promote human and sustainable development through their strategic and vantage point in space and the potential they have to contribute to human development while helping to preserve the planet. Africa as a continent requires the instrument and strategies contained in the SDGs to move forward. Few countries in Africa have space heritage from early Space Age while many others are currently active in the space arena reaping the benefit of space and its contribution to various aspects of national developmental programs with regards to several SDG goals. This chapter discusses the role of space assets for Africa in achieving the UN 2030 Agenda with a bias towards poverty reduction, prosperity and partnership in the SDGs.