SOUTH Africans tuned in to watch the launch of South Africa’s first satellite from the Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, USA, were disappointed on Friday when controllers ruled the launch a “no-go” at the last minute. This was the second attempt to launch the satellite named Sunsat, which was built by the engineering faculty of the University of Stellenbosch. A third attempt will be made on Saturday morning. Sunsat was suppose to have been launched aboard a US Air Force Delta II rocket at 12.35pm.
AXED SABC MAN TO FIGHT
A HIGH-profile consultant to the SABC, Alby James, is contesting the corporation’s decision last week to axe him. James’s lawyer, Andrew Murphy of Webber Wentzel Bowens, said the firm has given the SABC “until Friday to withdraw the termination”. The Mail & Guardian reports that James’s departure might jeopardise the processing of more than 700 proposals from independent producers received by SABC1 last week. James was putting in place a new system of appraising the proposals when he was given his marching orders.