Space Weather has been identified as a Global Challenge and South Africa is positioned to contribute meaningfully towards mitigating this challenge.
Space weather can disrupt technological systems and infrastructure, including but not limited to satellite and airline operations, communication networks, navigation systems, oil and gas pipelines, and the electric power grid. As global economies and individual nations become ever more dependent on these technologies, space weather poses an increasing risk to infrastructure and the economy.
The South African National Space Agency (SANSA) has led the country on a journey to ensure a regional capability in operational space weather services. SANSA will demonstrate how South Africa has taken on the world and contributed to fixing this global challenge.
Dr Lee-Anne McKinnell is currently the Managing Director responsible for the Space Science Programme and Hermanus Facility of the South African National Space Agency (SANSA). She holds a PhD in space physics from Rhodes University and an MBA from the Business School Netherlands. In her current role, Dr McKinnell represents South Africa on a number of international committees and working groups ensuring Africa’s interests are maintained in the field of space science and related technology. She is a champion for space weather applications and is leading the SANSA project to develop 24/7 operational space weather capability for Africa. As a current member of the SANSAExecutive team, Dr McKinnell contributes towards the leadership team of SANSA utilizing her expertise as a Space Scientist combined with her facility and programme management experience to ensure the sustainability of Space Science and the Hermanus facility withinSANSA and South Africa. Dr McKinnell lives in Hermanus with her husband and 2 fur-children, Pixie and Skye.
