South Africa Hosts Second ICAO Space Weather User Workshop
The South African National Space Agency (SANSA) and the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) hosted the second International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Space Weather User Workshop. The two-day event ran from 8 to 9 June 2026, welcoming global delegates alongside local experts from the South African aviation, meteorological, scientific, and technological communities. The gathering marked the first time that this international aviation group has met on the African continent.
Managing solar risks to modern flight paths
Every day, millions of passengers board aircraft expecting to reach their destinations efficiently. Most travellers do not realise that changing conditions in the sun can alter systems that are fundamental to modern flight operations. Space weather is “no longer a niche scientific discipline”, according to the opening remark delivered by Humbulani Mudau, the CEO of SANSA. Instead, solar activity has become an essential operational consideration for commercial aviation safety, communication networks, and the broader global economy.
Solar flares, geomagnetic storms, and energetic particle events regularly alter Earth’s upper atmosphere. These solar conditions can disrupt high-frequency radio communications, compromise satellite navigation networks, and increase radiation exposure risks along various polar flight routes. As commercial aviation relies more on digital links and space-based infrastructure, the need to track these solar threats grows. The immediate challenge is operational rather than scientific. The aviation sector needs to translate raw scientific data into clear, actionable updates that support real-time decision-making for pilots and controllers.
Translating space science into airline operations
Over the course of the two days of interactive meetings, delegates have reviewed recent space weather incidents and assessed operational lessons learned from technical disruptions. Attendees worked directly with service users to outline future upgrades for the global ICAO Space Weather Information Service. This regular feedback helps international flight teams protect aircraft electronics and strengthen resilience across global air traffic systems.
South Africa treats national investment in science, technology, and innovation as a necessary requirement for sustainable development, economic competitiveness, and societal resilience. Space capabilities are increasingly central to modern life, supporting disaster risk reduction, climate monitoring, and general telecommunications. Through this workshop, SANSA aims to ensure that African nations will actively contribute to global scientific knowledge and innovation rather than remaining passive consumers of foreign space services. Local aviation operators are using the event to integrate these space weather metrics directly into long-term flight safety plans.