The Use of Satellite-Based Technology in Developing Countries by Danielle Renee Wood S.B., Aeronautics and Astronautics Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2005 Submitted to the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics and the Engineering Systems Division In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degrees of Master of Science in Aeronautics and Astronautics and Master of Science in Technology and Policy at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology September 2008 © 2008 Massachusetts Institute of Technology All rights reserved. Author__________________________________________________________________ Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics and the Technology and Policy Program, Engineering Systems Division August 8, 2008 Certified by______________________________________________________________ Annalisa L. Weigel Assistant Professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics and Engineering Systems Thesis Supervisor Accepted by_____________________________________________________________ Dava J. Newman Professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics and Engineering Systems Director, Technology and Policy Program Accepted by_____________________________________________________________ Prof. David L. Darmofal Associate Department Head Chair, Committee on Graduate Students Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics 2 The Use of Satellite-Based Technology in Developing Countries by Danielle Renee Wood Submitted to the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics and the Engineering Systems Division on August 8, 2008, in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degrees of Master of Science in Aeronautics and Astronautics and Master of Science in Technology and Policy Abstract Satellite technology in the areas of remote sensing, communication, and navigation can provide valuable information in a number of areas from business to disaster management to agriculture. There is great potential for such technology to help solve problems in developing countries. Unfortunately, due to lack of funds, expertise, equipment or awareness, developing countries are not using satellite technology to its full potential. This thesis is motivated by a desire to increase and improve the use of satellite-based technology in developing countries. Three Research Questions guide the study. Question 1 is, “How does national development level relate to national space activity?” For this question, national development level is measured by a series of Development Indicators such as Gross Domestic Product. The level of space activity is measured using a Space Participation Metric that is created by the author. Statistical analysis is used to learn if there is any significant difference in the space activity of countries at different development levels. Research Question 2 asks, “What Mission and Management Architectures are developing countries using to apply satellite-based technology to national needs?” The data used to answer this question comes from 90 Space Project Case Studies about satellite-enabled activities in Africa. The information from the Case Studies is organized so that trends can be found in the accomplishments of the projects. Research Question 3 asks, “How does national development level influence the Mission and Management Architectures used by developing countries in satellite-based technology projects?” This question builds on the data from Research Question 2. Statistical analysis is used to determine if African countries at different development levels perform differently in the Space Project Case Studies. In addition to addressing these three Research Questions, this study explores the policy context of African countries through a series of interviews. Thirty interviews were held with representatives from African embassies in the United States. The interview questions explore the institutional structure of the country‟s National Innovation System. To summarize the results, the analysis for Question 1 shows that there is a significant difference in the space activity of countries at different development leve ls. Question 2 shows that most African space projects involve either one African country or a collaboration with a non-African partner. The third Research Question shows that there is a significant difference in the level of technical expertise and programmatic leadership shown by African countries at different development levels. This study closes with policy recommendations for developing country policy makers about next steps for using satellite-based technology. Thesis Supervisor: Annalisa Weigel Assistant Professor, Aeronautics and Astronautics and Engineering Systems Division 3 4 Acknowledgements It has been a great adventure to arrive at this point in my academic career. When I was an undergraduate at MIT, I was not confidant that I could succeed in graduate school. I must thank Prof Charles Coleman for speaking words of belief and encouragement about my abilities back then. As I began graduate school, I wanted to do research on this topic, but I did not know how to make it happen. I have been supported and guided by many helpful people. I thank Daniel Irwin of NASA and Ayanna Samuels (Dual SM at MIT, 2005) who showed me how my interests in international development and aerospace engineering could be combined in a practical way. I also thank Prof David Miller who was my academic and research advisor for parts of my undergraduate and graduate career at MIT. He consistently encouraged my ideas and plans, even when they inconvenienced him. I thank Prof Annalisa Weigel who has advised me through this research process. It has been an honor and joy to work with her. I appreciate the way she encourages me to take initiative with my research. I am thankful also for my experiences with the NASA Academy internship. It was during this summer program in 2004 that I discovered two things. First, I learned that I definitely wanted to go to graduate school and, second, that I wanted to find a way to research the use of satellites in developing countries. I am also thankful for the various graduate fellowship programs that have made it possible for me to pursue this line of research. This includes the NASA Harriett Jenkins Pre- Doctoral Fellowship Program, the Departmental Fellowship from Aeronautics and Astronautics at MIT, the National Science Foundation and the National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowship. On a personal note, I thank my husband, Jonathan, for being willing to date me and marry me even while we lived in two different states so that I could complete my Masters degrees. I also want to thank my parents and brothers for all the ways they have encouraged my interests over the years. Thank you for supporting me when I traveled to Kenya and South Africa to learn and serve. Thank you for believing that I could pursue all of my interests, from acting to engineering to language to salsa dancing. I am very thankful to God who has guided me through out this adventure and has placed all of these special people in my life. Author Biography Danielle Wood, formerly Danielle Adams, received her Bachelor of Science degree from MIT in Aeronautics and Astronautics with a Minor in Spanish in 2005. As an undergraduate, Danielle studied abroad at the Center for Cross-Cultural studies in Spain. She also traveled several times to Kenya to volunteer with homeless children. Since starting her university career Danielle has held several research positions at MIT and NASA centers. After completing her S.B., Danielle worked as the Operations Manager for the NASA Academy internship program at the Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland in 2005. Danielle is the recipient of several federal, graduate fellowships including the NASA Harriett Jenkins Pre-doctoral Fellowship, the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship, and the National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowship. Danielle has presented posters and talks at several conferences including the NASA Institute for Advanced Concepts (2004), and the AIAA Regional Student Conference (2005), the Chapman Conference on Venus Exploration (2006). Danielle plans to continue her education in the Engineering Systems Division doctoral program. She married Jonathan Wood in 2007. 5 6 Table of Contents LIST OF FIGURES 10 LIST OF TABLES 11 LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS 13 1 INTRODUCTION 15 1.1 Overview of Thesis 15 1.2 Definitions of Major Terms and Concepts 17 1.2.1 Satellite-Based Technology (SBT) 17 1.2.2 Developing Country 17 1.3 Background and Motivation 18 1.3.1 The Potential of Satellite-Based Technology to Meet Needs in Developing Countries 18 1.3.1.1 Overview of Satellite Remote Sensing 18 1.3.1.2 How Satellite Remote Sensing Can Meet Needs in Developing Countries 21 1.3.1.3 Overview of Satellite Communication 23 1.3.1.4 How Satellite Communication Can Meet Needs in Developing Countries 24 1.3.1.5 Overview of Satellite Navigation 27 1.3.1.6 How Satellite Navigation Can Meet Needs in Developing Countries 28 1.3.1.7 Using Satellite Technologies Together 29 1.3.1.8 Conclusion 29 1.3.2 Historical Overview of Satellite Technology for Developing Countries 30 1.3.2.1 INTELSAT and INMARSAT 30 1.3.2.2 UN COPUOS 30 1.3.2.3 SatelLife 30 1.3.2.4 Surrey Satellite Technology Limited 31 1.3.2.5 SERVIR 31 1.3.3 Developing Country Space Programs 31 1.3.3.1 India 31 1.3.3.2 Brazil 32 1.3.4 Barriers to the Use of Satellite-Based Technology in Developing Countries 32 2 LITERATURE REVIEW 38 2.1 The Role of Technology in Socioeconomic Development 38 2.1.1 The Importance of Technological