Spaceteq had its origins in the SunSat satellite programme of the Stellenbosch University,
a prime example of the role that an university can play as a catalyst for economic growth.

• Sunsat ,a Microsatellite (64kg) with 15m GSD 3-band multi-spectral pushbroom imager, was South Africa's first satellite developed completely by a team of South African engineers and partially funded by DST.

• In February 1999, SunSat was launched by NASA on Delta II USAF.

• The satellite operated successfully in space, fulfilling all mission objectives, demonstrating imaging capability not before considered possible with a small satellite