SA first constellation space mission

It’s a first for South Africa.

An operational constellation of locally produced nano-satellites has been successfully launched into outer space.

And it was launched by SpaceX from Cape Canaveral in the US last week.

A team of student engineers and space scientists from the Cape Peninsula University of Technology is behind this history-making feat.

The satellites which is able to detect and monitor ships in near real-time will be used as part of the country’s maritime safety system.

Our reporter Natalie Malgas has more.