High School pupils, university students and faculty will have the chance to interact with former Nasa head Major-General Charles Bolden jr when he visits the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT).
The US mission to South Africa is hosting Bolden, who is the US Science Envoy for Space.
His journey starts in Cape Town where he will engage with aerospace professionals and the general public.
Until last year, Bolden oversaw the safe transition from 30 years of Space Shuttle missions to a new age of exploration at Nasa.
Before working for Nasa he served in the Marine Corps and travelled into orbit four times aboard the Space Shuttle between 1986 and 1994, commanding two of the missions and piloting two others.
CPUT recently launched Amaya Space, a completely local company that can deliver fully functional CubeSat constellations.
CPUT spokesperson Lauren Kansley said: “We are excited to host someone of the stature of Major-General Charles Bolden.
“His decision to visit CPUT’s space programme affirms our status as a key player in the African space race. Our staff and students are excited to engage with Bolden.”
US consul general to Cape Town Virginia Baser said: “What a story he has to tell, having served as administrator of the Nasa for eight years during such an exciting new era of exploration, including furthering the world’s work with the International Space Station and countless developments in space and aeronautics technology.
“Charlie truly is an inspiration for everyone, especially young people around the world, who are drawn to study science and technology and those who see the vast opportunities in exploration and space.”
Yolisa Tswanya