Africa’s role in the first Moon landing

Africa was embedded in the operational backbone of the Apollo missions that culminated in the 1969 Moon landing .

NASA’s early space programme relied on a globally distributed tracking network to maintain communications as spacecraft moved beyond the line of sight of any single ground station. Facilities in Kano, Nigeria and Tunguu, Zanzibar, alongside a major installation at Hartebeesthoek near Johannesburg, were part of that system.

These stations handled telemetry, tracking, and voice communications, relaying data between spacecraft and mission control. The Hartebeesthoek site also supported earlier missions, including receiving data from the Mariner 4 probe that produced the first images of Mars.

At least part of Apollo 11’s journey to the Moon was tracked through this network, illustrating how missions depended on continuous coverage across multiple continents rather than any single country’s infrastructure.

South Africa’s current role in Artemis

That same requirement for uninterrupted communication is driving Africa’s inclusion in the Artemis architecture .

NASA and South Africa’s Department of Science and Innovation have formalised cooperation to build a new ground station in Matjiesfontein, in the Karoo region. The site will be one of three Lunar Exploration Ground Sites globally, alongside facilities in the United States and Australia.

The installation will include large communications antennas — between 18 and 24 metres — designed to maintain near-continuous links with spacecraft operating in lunar orbit and on the Moon’s surface.

Badri Younes, deputy associate administrator for NASA’s Space Communications and Navigation programme, said the site would support “communication with all of our astronauts in and around the moon” and form part of a broader Moon-to-Mars mission network.

South Africa’s government has allocated at least 70 million rand ($3.93 million) to support infrastructure and communications systems at the site, which will be operated by the South African National Space Agency (SANSA).

Why Africa’s position matters

The inclusion of an African ground station is driven by orbital mechanics rather than diplomacy.

As the Earth rotates, spacecraft move in and out of view of individual ground stations. A network spanning North America, Africa and Australia allows continuous tracking, ensuring that the Moon remains within line of sight of at least one station at any given time.

This configuration enables real-time transmission of navigation data, system diagnostics, and crew communications. These functions become increasingly critical as missions extend further from Earth and involve sustained human presence.

Expanding role in future missions

South Africa is positioning itself to support a broader pipeline of deep-space activity.

The Matjiesfontein station will also help meet rising demand on NASA’s existing Deep Space Network and support future missions beyond Artemis, including those linked to Mars exploration.

SANSA, for its part, is targeting involvement in dozens of upcoming missions over the next decade, reflecting a shift from historical participation in tracking to a more sustained role in space infrastructure and services.

Africa’s importance in returning humans to the Moon lies in function rather than visibility.

Apollo demonstrated that lunar missions require a globally distributed support system. Artemis builds on the same principle, with Africa once again providing a critical segment of that network.

Naiker described the project as aligning with a “pan-African” vision in support of the country’s leadership, emphasising its role in fostering innovation and local expertise. While most African space-related infrastructure to date has focused on satellite reception or data ground stations, this plan would take a further step into actual manufacturing on the continent.

The facility could ultimately provide African engineers and researchers with a platform to develop satellites tailored to the region’s specific needs, such as environmental monitoring, disaster response and digital connectivity — sectors where space technology is increasingly seen as essential.

Observers of Africa’s growing tech ecosystem say the agreement reflects a broader trend of expanding scientific capacity across the continent, which already includes satellite launches and ground station developments in countries such as Senegal and Namibia. A successful implementation could mark a significant milestone for African participation in the global space industry.

Chinese state media released a computer-generated video of the craft, known as Luanniao, as part of a broader aerospace programme called the Nantianmen Project, led by the state-owned Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC).

According to CCTV, the Luanniao would be the world’s largest flying warship, capable of carrying up to 88 unmanned fighter aircraft armed with hypersonic missiles and operating above most existing air defence systems.

The concept carrier is colossal. State media descriptions put it at 242 metres long, 684 metres wide, with a take-off weight of 120,000 tonnes, dwarfing any aircraft currently in service.

Chinese outlets say the system could enter service in 20 to 30 years, with some reports suggesting a target date around 2040. No prototype has been publicly confirmed to date.

Defence experts, however, have reservations about the level of technology China aims to achieve.

Hovering or operating at the edge of Earth’s atmosphere would require enormous fuel, advanced propulsion systems and reusable launch capabilities that do not yet exist, experts said, adding that putting such a craft into orbit would also expose it to space debris.

Even so, the concept points to Beijing’s ambitions in air and space power. 

The Luanniao is presented as the centrepiece of the Nantianmen Project, which also includes a sixth-generation “Baidi” fighter jet designed for near-space operations. A model of the jet was displayed at China’s main air show in 2024.

The announcement comes amid an intensifying U.S.-China space and technology rivalry. China has poured resources into rockets, satellites and lunar missions, including the Chang’e-6 mission, which returned samples from the far side of the Moon in 2024.

A follow-up mission, Chang’e-7, aimed at searching for water on the Moon, is scheduled for later this year, underscoring Beijing’s push to expand its space footprint.

China’s expanding military ambitions are backed by a defence budget whose true size remains contested. 

Beijing said its military spending reached $220 billion in 2023, a 7.2% increase from the previous year, but Western estimates suggest the real figure is significantly higher. A 2024 Pentagon report put China’s defence outlays at $330 billion to $450 billion, while some US senators have cited numbers as high as $700 billion. 

Other estimates vary widely, with the International Institute for Strategic Studies placing China’s 2024 budget at about $235 billion, and the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute estimating $317.56 billion.

Whether the Luanniao ever leaves the drawing board, or whether China’s true defence spending matches official claims, one fact is clear: the Asian powerhouse already fields the world ’s largest military and is steadily building the capacity — and ambition — to challenge U.S. dominance.

In 2025 alone, over 15 African countries are actively involved in space programmes, with Nigeria, South Africa, Egypt, and Kenya leading the charge. According to the African Space Industry Annual Report, the continent’s space economy was valued at $19.49 billion in 2023 and is projected to hit $23 billion by 2026.

Country-by-Country Dispatches

The NewSpace Africa Conference 2025, held in Egypt, also officially launched AfSA and unveiled the EU-Africa Space Programme, a €100 million collaboration supported by NASA, ESA, Airbus, and more.

While China leads the charge in infrastructure development, it has 23 bilateral space partnerships across Africa, spreading from satellite assembly labs to monitoring telescopes with strategic advantages like data access and long-term presence. Egypt, South Africa, and Senegal are also engaged in a proposed moon base program.

While resource constraints and external dependencies remain, the launch of AfSA, growth in local expertise, and growing international partnerships give hope that space might now be an instrument for inclusive development.

Howard Hu, NASA Orion Program Manager, provided details about the capsule’s capabilities. “This is our Artemis II spaceship, Orion. The capsule is over 16 feet wide, designed for a four-person crew with a 21-day mission capacity. The crew module houses the astronauts and ensures their safe return, while the service module contains essential systems, including power, propulsion, and the main engine,” he told the AFP.

Hu also highlighted the mission’s progress, stating that the installation of solar arrays was completed ahead of schedule. “We’re on track for our end-of-April 2026 launch window. Our European team did a fantastic job installing the solar arrays ahead of schedule, which keeps us moving forward.”

Kirk Shireman, another Orion program manager, emphasised the human aspect of Artemis II. “Artemis I tested the rocket and spacecraft, but Artemis II is all about humans. It will have four astronauts on board, with life-support systems ensuring they can breathe, drink water , and even use a toilet. The spacecraft also features control panels for manual operation.”

Artemis II will be NASA’s first crewed lunar mission in over 50 years.

A solar sail is a large, thin sheet that captures energy from the sun’s photons—tiny particles of light.

The sun's energy pushes the sail, just as the wind pushes a sailboat forward, allowing a spacecraft to move through space.

This means a spacecraft can keep travelling for long periods without carrying fuel or relying on engines.

The new solar sail, developed by KARI, is 10 metres wide and made of an extremely lightweight material.

It is bigger than the solar sail NASA introduced in 2023 and is made of a special film coated with aluminium.

The entire deployment system is compact, allowing the sail to be folded into a small space and then expanded when needed.

This technology is not just useful for space exploration. Scientists say it could also help clean up space debris, a growing problem in Earth's orbit.

Unused satellites and broken spacecraft parts clutter space, and a solar sail could help remove them.

KARI President Lee Sang-cheol said the team will continue working on new ways to use this technology. According to him, this could strengthen South Korea’s ability to explore deep space and contribute to future space missions.

The project started through a global program that gives small nations a chance to build and launch satellites.

The Mauritius Research and Innovation Council led the effort, with support from the Mauritius Amateur Radio Society and a Scottish company that built the satellite. However, local experts played a key role in setting up the systems to track and communicate with it from Earth.

Paul, a retired satellite communications specialist who was at the forefront of this innovation after decades of experience in radio signals and satellite networks, has helped train young engineers and students to connect with the satellite.

Since its launch , schools in Mauritius have been able to receive signals and images from space, making space exploration feel more real to a new generation.

Despite this achievement, Mauritius is still finding its place in the space industry.

Many young people interested in space technology are still struggling to find opportunities on the island. Some have to look abroad to advance their careers. However, Mauritius is starting to emerge as a hub for satellite communications.

A commercial ground station is already in place, and another is on the way.

Interest in space is growing, and Mauritius is proving that small nations can have a role in the global space economy.

With young people getting involved and new technology on the rise, the country is moving closer to a future where space is not just a dream but an opportunity.

The object fell in Mukuku village at around 3:00 pm local time on December 30, 2024. Villagers quickly alerted authorities, and the area was secured.

KSA said such objects are usually designed to burn up as they re-enter the Earth’s atmosphere or fall over unoccupied areas such as oceans.

"Preliminary assessments indicate that the fallen object is a separation ring from a launch vehicle," a statement on X said .

Officials confirmed the debris was not a public safety threat, indicating that the agency is working to identify its origin.

"This is an isolated case, which the agency will investigate and address," the statement further said.

This incident adds to the number of space debris crashes that have happened in recent times.

In 2022, a SpaceX Dragon capsule fragment landed on an Australian farm. In 2024, a piece of metal tore through a home in Florida, USA, causing damage but no injuries.

Meanwhile, NASA and other agencies have also criticised China for allowing large rockets to fall back to Earth uncontrolled.

Just a few months later, on February 1, 1958, the United States entered the arena with the launch of Explorer 1, which led to the groundbreaking discovery of the Van Allen radiation belts, regions of charged particles trapped by Earth’s magnetic field.

According to NASA gov , following these pioneering missions, other nations quickly joined the space race, showcasing their technological advancements. France became the third spacefaring nation in 1965 with the successful launch of Asterix, while Japan and China achieved orbital success in 1970 with their respective satellites, Ohsumi and Dong Fang Hong 1.

The United Kingdom followed suit in 1971, launching Prospero into orbit. Remarkably, the UK remains the only country to have independently launched a satellite and subsequently retired its space program.

In 1980, India marked a significant milestone with the launch of Rohini 1, demonstrating its growing technological independence and cementing its place in the global space community. By the late 1980s and early 1990s, more nations, including Israel, Ukraine, and post-Soviet Russia, joined the spacefaring ranks, which carried forward the legacy of Soviet-era advancements.

The 21st century has seen further expansion as countries like Iran (2009), North Korea (2012), and South Korea (2013) successfully launched their first satellites, solidifying their status as emerging players in space exploration.

From the Cold War-driven beginnings to today’s globally competitive environment, the list of spacefaring nations continues to grow, symbolizing humanity’s shared aspiration to explore and understand the cosmos.

Media and cultural influence

From Hollywood’s Independence Day to local folklore, extraterrestrial narratives are deeply embedded in both global and regional storytelling. These depictions blur the boundaries between fiction and reality, sparking curiosity and a sense of possibility. Whether through blockbuster films or whispered myths, these stories play a pivotal role in shaping perceptions of alien visitation.

Distrust and curiosity around authority

Government disclosures about UFOs often stoke public speculation. Reports from agencies like NASA or the Pentagon provide tantalizing glimpses into unexplained aerial phenomena. For instance, the Pentagon’s latest UFO report highlighted hundreds of new cases yet offered no evidence of extraterrestrial origins. The lack of concrete answers often fuels distrust, with many suspecting cover-ups rather than coincidences.

Psychological and social factors

Belief in aliens is not just a matter of imagination—psychological and social dynamics also influence it:

Are we alone?

Despite scientific scepticism, public fascination with aliens persists. Whether it’s driven by imagination, distrust, or community influence, the belief in alien visits continues to captivate millions.

What’s your take—are we alone in the universe, or is someone out there watching?

According to data from NASA, here is an overview of the countries that have achieved successful soft landings on the Moon and other planets:

The Soviet Union (USSR):

The Soviet Union landed on the Moon eight times, ten times on Venus and once on Mars.

The United States (NASA)

The United States, through NASA, has accomplished numerous successful soft landings. The most notable is the Apollo 11 mission in 1969, which marked the first human landing on the Moon. NASA has also successfully landed on Mars nine times and on Venus once.

China (CNSA)

China's space agency, CNSA, has made significant strides in lunar and planetary exploration. In 2013, China achieved its first successful soft landing on the Moon with the Chang'e 3 mission. Additionally, the agency has landed on Mars once.

India (ISRO)

India's space agency, ISRO, joined the ranks of countries with successful lunar landings with the Chandrayaan-2 mission in 2019.

Japan (JAXA)

Japan, through its space agency JAXA, also achieved a successful soft landing on the moon in 2024 with its Smart Lander for Investigating the Moon craft.

The Hainan International Commercial Aerospace Launch Centre has been under construction since July 2022. This dedicated facility marks China's first foray into commercial space missions, aiming to provide a robust platform for private space enterprises.

Yang Tianliang, chairman of the Hainan International Commercial Aerospace Launch Center, announced on Tuesday, July 16 that the centre's debut launch is expected to take place around September or October this year.

“This is because we need time to carry out all-system rehearsals to prepare our staff for the first launch and spot possible problems. So far, most of the rehearsal tasks have been accomplished. We will make some small changes to related procedures based on the results of the rehearsals,” he said.

The site features advanced infrastructure, including fueling and gas supply systems, substations, and multiple launch pads.

The construction of the No. 1 launch pad was completed in December 2023. The site has also successfully conducted a rocket launch simulation rehearsal, demonstrating its readiness for actual space missions.

The Elite satellite is a research satellite that will spend about 1.5 years in space to test novel, home-grown devices and determine if more Singapore satellites can fly closer to Earth.

The Elite satellite is a joint project between Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Aliena, LightHaus Photonics, NUS Temasek Laboratories, and ST Engineering Satellite Systems and is the country's 14th satellite, and its largest and most complex to date.

Orbiting at a lower altitude, the Elite satellite will be able to capture higher-quality images of up to 50cm in resolution, allowing for better monitoring of agricultural activities, mining, and disaster response. The satellite will also be equipped with Singapore's first locally designed space camera, which can capture pictures of objects as small as 50cm in length.

Orbiting at a lower altitude also poses significant challenges, such as atmospheric drag, which can slow down the satellite and cause it to re-enter the Earth's atmosphere within days. To overcome this, the Elite satellite will be equipped with a novel and fuel-efficient engine built by Aliena, an NTU deep-tech spin-off.

Aliena’s chief executive Mark Lim said, “The engine needs to deliver a significant amount of thrust with lower power to ensure that we can continue firing the satellite to compensate for drag without bleeding out the batteries.

“You can rapidly fire your engines during unexpected events like severe geomagnetic storms, which could result in the decrease in the altitude of the spacecraft quickly.”

The launch of the Elite satellite is a significant achievement for Singapore's space industry, which has been growing steadily over the years. The country has launched more than 30 satellites since 2011 and is home to more than 60 local and international space-tech firms, with a combined total of over 2,000 professionals and researchers.

What they said

As the landing unfolded at the National Astronomical Observatories, part of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the lead researcher of France's lunar radon detection initiative as reported by Xinhua expressed that this moment had been anticipated by him and his team for many years. "We were looking at the moon almost every night here in Beijing." Neil Melville-Kenney, technical officer of the ESA's Negative Ions on the Lunar Surface project also added "It's a very impressive and ambitious mission. We are very pleased to be a part of it. The collaboration has gone very smoothly. I think space exploration encourages us to consider our planet as one and our people as one."

UNESCO is also taking steps to preserve the world's languages out of concern that they could be entirely lost due to natural disasters, climate change, or other man-made crises such as global conflict.

"Language serves as the connective tissue of humanity, facilitating interaction, collaboration and shaping our perceptions of the world. Its preservation in all its diversity is essential to safeguarding human identity," UNESCO's press release in May stated .

UNESCO announced that a nano-engraved, nickel-plated memory disc will be sent to the moon in late 2024 aboard an ispace spacecraft. This disc will contain 275 versions of the 362-word preamble to UNESCO’s constitution, which advocates for the “wide diffusion of cultures” and “the education of humanity for justice, liberty, and peace.”

"In a joint initiative with Barrelhand, UNESCO has co-created a "Memory Disc", a nano-engraved nickel plate that will be sent to the Moon on board ispace's HAKUTO-R Mission 2 RESILIENCE lunar lander to be launched in Winter 2024. The disc bears the UNESCO Constitution's Preamble "Since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men and women that the defences of peace must be constructed" translated into 275 languages. This symbolic gesture underscores global unity and the imperative of preserving linguistic diversity and culture," it added.

The disc will also feature a selection of cultural treasures, UNESCO stated, including "Le Petit Prince" by French author Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. Additionally, it will hold images of 100 paintings from various cultural backgrounds and historical periods.

"The Memory Disc also serves as a repository of cultural heritage, featuring an array of treasures including “Le Petit Prince” by the renowned French author Antoine de Saint-Exupéry - one of the world's most translated books. Furthermore, it houses a curated collection of 100 paintings, representing artists from diverse cultural backgrounds and historical epochs," adds UNESCO.

What they said

Deep Station Network Deputy Manager at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Southern California said, “Our hybrid antenna has been able to successfully and reliably lock onto and track the DSOC downlink since shortly after the tech demo launched. It also received Psyche’s radio frequency signal, so we have demonstrated synchronous radio and optical frequency deep space communications for the first time,” Amy Smith said. Barzia Tehrani who is Communications Ground Systems Deputy Manager and Delivery Manager for the hybrid antenna at JPL said, “It’s a high-tolerance optical system built on a 34-meter flexible structure”.

“This success is one of the fruits of the 2023 World Radiocommunication Conference,” he is quoted by local media the Citizen .

This follows earlier communication by Tanzania's President Samia Suluhu Hassan in May, indicating the country’s advanced negotiations and preparations in achieving this scientific milestone.

“We are well prepared. We have started discussions and rest assured that Tanzania will have its own satellite in the near future,” President Suluhu Hassan said.

Member of Parliament for Musoma Rural and a prominent advocate for space technologies in Tanzania, Professor Sospeter Muhongo emphasized the importance of leveraging space technology for economic development. He underscored the advancements made by neighbouring countries such as Rwanda and Kenya in this regard.

In other parts of the African continent, Egypt leads having launched nine satellites, while South Africa follows with eight. Algeria, Nigeria and Morocco follow with seven, six and three satellites, respectively. Other countries on the list include Ghana, Ethiopia, Sudan, Kenya, Angola, Mauritius and Rwanda.