Applicability of near-real-time satellite data acquisition, analysis & distribution of geoinformation in support of African development

Abstract

Within the past two decades, Africa has reached a milestone in transitioning from an Area of Interest (AOI) for satellite remote sensing scientists, primarily within the industrialized countries, to a modest base for regular utilization of diverse remote sensing products, development and deployment of orbital sensors, home to continental professional associations and regional centers dedicated to expanding research, instruction and applications of remote sensing, and a symposium venue for international geosparial technologies scholars. With some notable exceptions, Africa is still virgin territory with respect to the installation of ground stations for acquisition and pre-processing of real-time satellite data.