From CNBC Africa

The student made nano-satellite was launched, putting African technology on the map.

Officially named ZACUBE-1, the satellite was made by 40 students and staff from the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) and took them 18 months to build.

It comprises of 4,000 electrical components, runs on the same amount of power as a 3 watt light bulb and is 100 times smaller than the first artificial earth satellite, Russia’s Sputnik 1.

Humbulani Mudau, chief director of space science at South Africa’s Department of Science and Technology stated that the government were very excited about CPUT’s achievement and that it is a significant milestone for Africa.

“We in government, particularly the Department of Science and Technology, are very excited at the milestone that has been reached by CPUT in putting Africa, not just South Africa but Africa in launching a successful cube satellite that has in it a payload that will ensure that we understand our space weather,” Mudau told CNBC Africa in an interview.

The satellite is said to orbit earth 15 times a day, gathering information on space weather and solar activity.

Robert van Zyl, director of the French South African Institute of Technology explained that the satellite will allow data to be received regarding any solar storms or events that could cause technology disruptions on earth.

“Severe solar storms can disrupt technologies on earth, such as communications like tracking and GPS [Global Positioning System] and it can cause havoc with the transformers of power facilities. So I’m not saying we’re preventing it but that we can add data for the scientists to improve their model so they can better forecast what a known event on the sun will have on earth and that gives us a bit of time to prepare,” he explained.

Written by Farhaanah Mahomed/Read more at CNBC Africa.