This thesis investigates control aspects of the Hartebeeshoek Radio Astronomy Observatory (HartRAO) antenna. The installation of a new 22 GHz receiver has required the pointing accuracy to be improved to less than 4 mdeg. The effect of thermal conditions on the the HartRAO antenna pointing offset is investigated using a variety of modelling techniques including simple geometric modelling, neural networks and Principal Component Analysis (PCA). Convincing results were obtained for the Declination pointing offset, where applying certain model predictions to observations resulted in an improvement in Declination pointing offset from 5.5 mdeg to 3.2 mdeg (≈50%). The Right Ascension pointing model was considerably less convincing with an improvement of approximately from 5.5 mdeg to 4.5 mdeg (≈20%) in the Right Ascension pointing offset. The Declination pointing offset can be modelled sufficiently well to reduce the pointing offset to less than 4 mdeg, however further investigation of the underlying causes is required for the Right Ascension pointing offset.

M. Tech. Architecture (Professional) / Over the last decade, South Africa (RSA) has experienced a substantial growth in the field of astronomy and astrophysics. Post 2005, the largest optical telescope in the Southern hemisphere, known by its acronym, SALT, was constructed in RSA. It is expected that by 2024, this country will host the largest array of radio telescopes in the world, the Square Kilometre Array (SKA). It could be argued that RSA is at the forefront of modern cosmological research. This exponential growth in the field of astronomy has resulted in local astronomical bodies and universities falling behind in astronomy education. This provides a unique opportunity to strengthen the latter. The aim of this dissertation is to design an International School of Astronomy and Astro-Tourism Centre. The proposed building aims to introduce a unique facility in the Northern Cape that would benefit the field of astronomy worldwide. The proposed facility is situated at the South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO) in Sutherland. It is nested within the South-west-embankment of the mountain, currently hosting the Southern Africa Large Telescope (SALT). The resultant design takes on a linear building typology with radial aspects to document astronomical events. The project investigates the semi-arid Karoo climate and how the resultant architecture reacts to harsh environmental conditions.

The radio astronomy and space geodesy scientific instrumentation of the Hartebeesthoek Radio Astronomy Observatory (HartRAO) in Gauteng, South Africa, generate large volumes of data. Additional large data volumes will be generated by new geodesy instruments that are currently under construction and implementation, including a lunar laser ranging (LLR) system, seismic and meteorological systems and a Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) global observing system (VGOS) radio telescope. The existing HartRAO data management and storage system is outdated, incompatible and has limited storage capacity. This necessitates the design of a new geodetic research data management system (GRDMS). The focus of this dissertation is on providing a contextual framework for the design of the new system, including criteria, characteristics, components, an infrastructure architectural model and data structuring and organisation. An exploratory research methodology and qualitative research techniques were applied. Results attained from interviews conducted and literature consulted indicates a gap in the literature regarding the design of a data management system, specifically for geodetic data generated by HartRAO instrumentation. This necessitates the development of a conceptual framework for the design of a new GRDMS. Results are in alignment with the achievement of the research questions and objectives set for this study. / Information Science / M.A. (Information Science)

M.Tech. (Architectural Technology) / Johannesburg has a spacial condition of an infill city which has created a condition of ‘non place’, allowing for forgotten beauties within this disjunct urban fabric. In the author’s opinion, this condition of ‘non place’ allows for new exciting opportunities to connect this isolated landscape with its urban surrounds, manifesting a new urban layer. It is within this urban archipelago that an architectural intervention will be realised. Commenting on the hypotheses, the architecture should become a space within which nature can grow and become part of systemic exchange, creating a new urban ecology. When architecture and nature are fused, a new hybrid emerges, re-scripting the site of terrain vague into catalyst for socio ecological remediation. The architecture will not only attempt to rescript the third landscape, but also become a platform for exchange where knowledge can be obtained and shared through the tracing and recording of the landscape and climate influence. This dissertation explores architecture in a manner which will incorporate nature and remediation as a generator of the architecture of the terrain vague. By introducing biometics and technology, the architecture becomes an instrument of the site, in this way the architecture will respond to site and climate conditions, resulting in a systemic symbioses with nature. The architecture will respond to environmental conditions; expanding, contracting, moving and adapting, creating a different experience for the user on a daily basis.