The South African National Space Agency (SANSA) provided clarity on its CEO, Humbulani Mudau, expression to train and send astronauts to space during the opening of the Russian Optical and Electronic Complex for Detection and Measurement of the Movement Parameters of Space Debris (OEC DSD) in South Africa.

The agency explicitly clarified that training South African astronauts remains a mere ambition, and there are currently no concrete plans for undertaking such a mission. However, SANSA admitted to having the ambitious goals of having South African astronauts trained and contributing to space exploration activities for the advancement of humankind.

“We are still years away from the realisation of this incredible opportunity. However, we will prioritise the announcement to inspire and excite the future generations of Afronauts to take their place in global space,” Humbulani Mudau stated. On the other hand, the CEO reiterated the agency’s commitment to cementing and formalising plans with its global partners on advancing the country’s space programmes.`