To infinity and beyond

Space-bound cooperation between Namibia and China
Octavia Tsibes
Elizabeth Joseph

Namibia and China continue to partner in space science and technology.

With partnership and support between the Peoples’ Republic of China and Namibia, the Namibia University of Science and Technology (Nust) hosted the first Chinese female astronaut, Liu Yang, and the record-holder of the longest stay (33 days) in space amongst Chinese astronauts, Chen Dong, on 22 August.

A partnership that was signed in the year 2000 by the late Theo Ben-Gurirab is being nurtured every year through initiatives that the Chinese and Namibian governments undertake together.

Space science and technology plays a huge role in Namibia and Nust thus offers resources that can help students broaden their understanding of space.

“It is no surprise that our university is hosting this event, because we have had a keen interest in space science and technology, so it just made sense,” a Nust official said.

Chen said he sees Namibia as an old friend and not a new acquaintance.

“I can see the curiosity and longing from the students for a career in space technology and that of being an astronaut,” he said.

Liu mentioned that she never stopped working toward her dreams.

“It is hard work, but it is worth it. I hope to start working in our space station as soon as it is ready,” she added.

The space station is set to become a reality and the Chinese government wants to start as soon as 2020.

Presently, Namibia and the Peoples’ Republic of China work hand-in-hand in the science and technology fields, as Namibia hosts China’s telemetry, tracking and command station that tracks the re-entry of Chinese-manned space vehicles.

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Republikein 2024-04-26

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Premier League: Brighton 0 vs 4 Manchester City | Manchester United 4 vs 2 Sheffield United | Everton 2 vs 0 Liverpool | Crystal Palace 2 vs 0 Newcastle | Wolves 0 vs 1 Bournemouth | Arsenal 5 vs 0 Chelsea SerieA: Udinese 1 vs 2 AS Roma European Championships Qualifying: Coventry City 2 vs 3 Hull City | Leicester City 5 vs 0 Southampton English Championship: Coventry City 2 vs 3 Hull City | Leicester City 5 vs 0 Southampton Katima Mulilo: 16° | 33° Rundu: 16° | 33° Eenhana: 16° | 35° Oshakati: 17° | 34° Ruacana: 17° | 35° Tsumeb: 18° | 32° Otjiwarongo: 14° | 31° Omaruru: 16° | 34° Windhoek: 15° | 29° Gobabis: 18° | 30° Henties Bay: 15° | 22° Wind speed: 26km/h, Wind direction: S, Low tide: 10:31, High tide: 04:30, Low Tide: 22:38, High tide: 16:57 Swakopmund: 15° | 18° Wind speed: 28km/h, Wind direction: SW, Low tide: 10:29, High tide: 04:28, Low Tide: 22:36, High tide: 16:55 Walvis Bay: 16° | 26° Wind speed: 34km/h, Wind direction: SW, Low tide: 10:29, High tide: 04:27, Low Tide: 22:36, High tide: 16:54 Rehoboth: 17° | 31° Mariental: 20° | 34° Keetmanshoop: 22° | 34° Aranos: 20° | 33° Lüderitz: 13° | 24° Ariamsvlei: 20° | 35° Oranjemund: 17° | 30° Luanda: 26° | 29° Gaborone: 18° | 27° Lubumbashi: 11° | 25° Mbabane: 13° | 17° Maseru: 9° | 23° Antananarivo: 14° | 27° Lilongwe: 14° | 26° Maputo: 18° | 25° Windhoek: 15° | 29° Cape Town: 15° | 27° Durban: 17° | 22° Johannesburg: 15° | 23° Dar es Salaam: 23° | 31° Lusaka: 17° | 26° Harare: 14° | 26° Currency: GBP to NAD 23.71 | EUR to NAD 20.37 | CNY to NAD 2.62 | USD to NAD 18.99 | DZD to NAD 0.14 | AOA to NAD 0.02 | BWP to NAD 1.33 | EGP to NAD 0.39 | KES to NAD 0.14 | NGN to NAD 0.01 | ZMW to NAD 0.71 | ZWL to NAD 0.04 | BRL to NAD 3.68 | RUB to NAD 0.21 | INR to NAD 0.23 | USD to DZD 134.03 | USD to AOA 834.06 | USD to BWP 13.79 | USD to EGP 47.85 | USD to KES 134.48 | USD to NGN 1329.44 | USD to ZAR 18.99 | USD to ZMW 26.45 | USD to ZWL 321 | Stock Exchange: JSE All Share Index 74329.37 Down -0.25% | Namibian Stock Exchange (NSX) Overall Index 1642.69 Up +6.30% | Casablanca Stock Exchange (CSE) MASI 13346.81 Up +0.49% | Egyptian Exchange (EGX) 30 Index 25917.59 Down -3.21% | Botswana Stock Exchange (BSE) DCI Same 0 | NSX: MTC 7.75 SAME | Anirep 8.99 SAME | Capricorn Investment group 17.34 SAME | FirstRand Namibia Ltd 49 DOWN 0.50% | Letshego Holdings (Namibia) Ltd 4.1 UP 2.50% | Namibia Asset Management Ltd 0.7 SAME | Namibia Breweries Ltd 31.49 UP 0.03% | Nictus Holdings - Nam 2.22 SAME | Oryx Properties Ltd 12.1 UP 1.70% | Paratus Namibia Holdings 11.99 SAME | SBN Holdings 8.45 SAME | Trustco Group Holdings Ltd 0.48 SAME | B2Gold Corporation 47.34 DOWN 1.50% | Local Index closed 677.62 UP 0.12% | Overall Index closed 1534.6 DOWN 0.05% | Osino Resources Corp 19.47 DOWN 2.41% | Commodities: Gold US$ 2 347.93/OZ UP +0.74% | Copper US$ 4.56/lb UP +1.01% | Zinc US$ 2 899.90/T UP 1.6% | Brent Crude Oil US$ 89.03/BBP UP +0.16% | Platinum US$ 913.76/OZ DOWN -0.0023 Sport results: Premier League: Brighton 0 vs 4 Manchester City | Manchester United 4 vs 2 Sheffield United | Everton 2 vs 0 Liverpool | Crystal Palace 2 vs 0 Newcastle | Wolves 0 vs 1 Bournemouth | Arsenal 5 vs 0 Chelsea SerieA: Udinese 1 vs 2 AS Roma European Championships Qualifying: Coventry City 2 vs 3 Hull City | Leicester City 5 vs 0 Southampton English Championship: Coventry City 2 vs 3 Hull City | Leicester City 5 vs 0 Southampton Weather: Katima Mulilo: 16° | 33° Rundu: 16° | 33° Eenhana: 16° | 35° Oshakati: 17° | 34° Ruacana: 17° | 35° Tsumeb: 18° | 32° Otjiwarongo: 14° | 31° Omaruru: 16° | 34° Windhoek: 15° | 29° Gobabis: 18° | 30° Henties Bay: 15° | 22° Wind speed: 26km/h, Wind direction: S, Low tide: 10:31, High tide: 04:30, Low Tide: 22:38, High tide: 16:57 Swakopmund: 15° | 18° Wind speed: 28km/h, Wind direction: SW, Low tide: 10:29, High tide: 04:28, Low Tide: 22:36, High tide: 16:55 Walvis Bay: 16° | 26° Wind speed: 34km/h, Wind direction: SW, Low tide: 10:29, High tide: 04:27, Low Tide: 22:36, High tide: 16:54 Rehoboth: 17° | 31° Mariental: 20° | 34° Keetmanshoop: 22° | 34° Aranos: 20° | 33° Lüderitz: 13° | 24° Ariamsvlei: 20° | 35° Oranjemund: 17° | 30° Luanda: 26° | 29° Gaborone: 18° | 27° Lubumbashi: 11° | 25° Mbabane: 13° | 17° Maseru: 9° | 23° Antananarivo: 14° | 27° Lilongwe: 14° | 26° Maputo: 18° | 25° Windhoek: 15° | 29° Cape Town: 15° | 27° Durban: 17° | 22° Johannesburg: 15° | 23° Dar es Salaam: 23° | 31° Lusaka: 17° | 26° Harare: 14° | 26° Economic Indicators: Currency: GBP to NAD 23.71 | EUR to NAD 20.37 | CNY to NAD 2.62 | USD to NAD 18.99 | DZD to NAD 0.14 | AOA to NAD 0.02 | BWP to NAD 1.33 | EGP to NAD 0.39 | KES to NAD 0.14 | NGN to NAD 0.01 | ZMW to NAD 0.71 | ZWL to NAD 0.04 | BRL to NAD 3.68 | RUB to NAD 0.21 | INR to NAD 0.23 | USD to DZD 134.03 | USD to AOA 834.06 | USD to BWP 13.79 | USD to EGP 47.85 | USD to KES 134.48 | USD to NGN 1329.44 | USD to ZAR 18.99 | USD to ZMW 26.45 | USD to ZWL 321 | Stock Exchange: JSE All Share Index 74329.37 Down -0.25% | Namibian Stock Exchange (NSX) Overall Index 1642.69 Up +6.30% | Casablanca Stock Exchange (CSE) MASI 13346.81 Up +0.49% | Egyptian Exchange (EGX) 30 Index 25917.59 Down -3.21% | Botswana Stock Exchange (BSE) DCI Same 0 | NSX: MTC 7.75 SAME | Anirep 8.99 SAME | Capricorn Investment group 17.34 SAME | FirstRand Namibia Ltd 49 DOWN 0.50% | Letshego Holdings (Namibia) Ltd 4.1 UP 2.50% | Namibia Asset Management Ltd 0.7 SAME | Namibia Breweries Ltd 31.49 UP 0.03% | Nictus Holdings - Nam 2.22 SAME | Oryx Properties Ltd 12.1 UP 1.70% | Paratus Namibia Holdings 11.99 SAME | SBN Holdings 8.45 SAME | Trustco Group Holdings Ltd 0.48 SAME | B2Gold Corporation 47.34 DOWN 1.50% | Local Index closed 677.62 UP 0.12% | Overall Index closed 1534.6 DOWN 0.05% | Osino Resources Corp 19.47 DOWN 2.41% | Commodities: Gold US$ 2 347.93/OZ UP +0.74% | Copper US$ 4.56/lb UP +1.01% | Zinc US$ 2 899.90/T UP 1.6% | Brent Crude Oil US$ 89.03/BBP UP +0.16% | Platinum US$ 913.76/OZ DOWN -0.0023