Valanathan MUNSAMI
Saudi Space Agency (SSA) • Deputy CEO
Dr Munsami holds a PhD in Physics, a Masters of Business Leadership, a Space Studies Program Diploma, and a Certificate in International Air, Space and Telecommunications Law. He worked in South Africa’s Secretariat for the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, managed the implementation of a suite of bilateral and multilateral science and technology agreements, involved in the development of South Africa’s National Space Strategy and National SpacePolicy, and oversaw the establishment of the South African National Space Agency (SANSA).
On winning the bid in 2012 to co-host the Square Kilometer Array (SKA), the biggest radio astronomy project in the world, he became the Chief Specialist for Astronomy and African Space Science. In this role, he led the development of South Africa’s Multi-Wavelength Astronomy Strategy and the SKA Readiness Strategy for Africa, and conceptualized the model for the Pan African Space Science University of the African Union.
He also chaired the African Union Space Working Group, which was tasked with the development of the African Space Policy and the African Space Strategy that was approved by the African Union Heads of State in January 2016, and also facilitated the Implementation Plan for the African Union Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy for Africa (STISA).
He was the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SANSA for five years, ending in February 2022. He was also a member of the South African Council for Space Affairs (SACSA) and Vice President of the International Astronautic Federation.
He is inducted as an academician of the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA) and sits on the Advisory Boards of the Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC) and ZASpace Inc. (the Space Industry Forum of South Africa).
He is currently the co-Founder of the African Space Leadership Institute, Chancellor of the International Space University, and is employed as an Advisor to the Saudi Space Commission.
Events
International Astronautical Congress 2023
2-6 October 2023
Baku, Azerbaijan
Participation:
International Astronautical Congress 2022
18-22 September 2022
Paris, France
Participation:
The Global Conference on Space for Emerging Countries 2022
16-20 May 2022
Quito, Ecuador
Participation:
- GLEC 2022: Programme
- GLEC 2022: Speakers
- GLEC 2022: Organizers
- Monday 16 May 2022: The Space Industry and Entrepreneurship Workshop
- Tuesday 17 May 2022: Opening Ceremony
- Tuesday 17 May 2022: IAF GNF Session: Latin American and Caribbean Space Agency (ALCE)
- Wednesday 18 May 2022: Plenary 4: How to Build a Space Ecosystem
- Thursday 19 May 2022: Closing Ceremony
International Astronautical Congress 2021
25-29 October 2021
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Participation:
The Global Space Exploration Conference 2021
14-18 June 2021
St. Petersburg, Russia
Participation:
International Astronautical Congress 2020
12-14 October 2020
Cyberspace edition
Participation:
International Astronautical Congress 2019
21-25 October 2019
Washington, United States
Participation:
The Global Conference on Space for Emerging Countries 2019
24-26 April 2019
Marrakech, Morocco
Participation:
International Astronautical Congress 2018
1–5 October 2018
Bremen, Germany
Participation:
- Friday 5 October 2018: Latin America Beyond LEO: Securing Regional Participation in the Moon Village
- Tuesday 2 October 2018: IAF GNF Society & Education Stream: The Role of Education in Support of Emerging Countries
- Wednesday 3 October 2018: IAF GNF Development Stream: Small Satellite Applications Development Leveraging Socio-Economic Benefits
The Global Space Applications Conference 2018
21-23 May 2018
Montevideo, Uruguay
Participation:
International Astronautical Congress 2017
25-29 September 2017
Adelaide, Australia
Participation:
The Global Space Exploration Conference 2017
6-8 June 2017
Beijing, China
Participation:
