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.
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.
Source: https://spaceinafrica.com/2026/06/10/south-africa-hosts-second-icao-space-weather-user-workshop/