International Academy of Space Law (IASL) is proud to announce that Dr. Valanathan Munsami, Chief Executive Officer of the South African National Space Agency (SANSA), has joined the Academy’s International Board of Trustees (Pantheon).
Dr. Munsami holds a Ph.D. in Physics, a Master 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, was involved in the development of South Africa’s National Space Strategy and National Space Policy, and oversaw the establishment of the South African National Space Agency (SANSA).
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 Institute.
He also chaired the African Union Space Working Group, which was tasked with the development of the African Space Policy and Strategy that was approved in January 2016. As of January 2017, he has been appointed as the CEO of SANSA.
He was the Vice President of the International Astronautics Federation, but currently Chairs the IAF Administrative Committee for Developing Countries and Emerging Communities.
He also served on the South African Council for Space Affairs (SACSA) for a number of terms. He is an academician of the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA) and sits on the Advisory Boards of the Space Generation Advisory Council and the Global Space Congress.
He has published a number of scientific and policy-related journal articles and sits on the Springer Editorial Advisory Board for the Southern Space Studies Series.
He also Chairs the Committee of Heads of Organisations of Research and Technology (COHORT), which comprises 21 science and technology institutions in South Africa.
