Carla Sharpe Mitchell

Carla Mitchell (Previously Sharpe)
Born (1974-01-22) January 22, 1974
Johannesburg South Africa
Alma materUniversity of Cape Town (BCom - Finance and Economics) International Space University (EMBA) University of Cape Town (PhD)
EmployerSouth African Radio Astronomy Observatory - National Research Foundation (South Africa)
OrganizationFoundation for Space Development Africa

International Deep Space Exploration Association (IDSEA)

Astroaid Foundation
Known forAdvancing Africa's role in the space sector
SpouseJustin Mitchell
ChildrenJoshua Thornton Sharpe
WebsiteCarla Sharpe Mitchell
Foundation for Space Development Africa
Africa2Moon

Carla Mitchell (Previously Sharpe) is an economist[1] currently living in South Africa and serving as the Africa Programme Manager for the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory[2] that is driving Africa’s largest science undertaking, the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) radio telescope. In 2009, she established the Foundation for Space Development Africa,[3] where she is a director as well as the mission director for the Foundation's Africa2Moon science payload[4] selected for launch to the Moon in 2029.[5] She also founded the South African Space Association as well as Women in Aerospace Africa.[6]

Education and career

Carla Mitchell was born in South Africa in 1974. Following the completion of a degree in Finance and Economics from the University of Cape Town, Carla graduated from the International Space University’s first Executive MBA Programme in 2010[7] and was awarded a PhD in Economics and Space Studies from the University of Cape Town in 2025.[8]

In 2009, she established the Foundation for Space Development Africa. The organisation is developing Africa's first space exploration mission and the world's first lunar radio astronomy array, the Africa2Moon Project[9], as well as driving projects spanning big data; supercomputing; climate modelling; and utilisation of space resources. The Foundation is dedicated to advancing Africa's role in the space sector, thereby inspiring the next generation of African scientists, engineers and innovators. On 24 April 2025, the Africa2Moon payload was selected for launch to the lunar south pole with China's Chang'e 8 mission scheduled for 2029.[5]

Carla Mitchell has been with the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory for over a decade, from Business Development Manager at SKA South Africa in 2013,[10] to her current position as the Africa Programme Manager,[2] following 15 years of financial and operational management in other industries. Her work is now focused on developing space science and technology programmes in Africa that generate wider reaching societal benefits, as well as her contributions to the development of robust and inclusive space economic and legal policies.[11]

References

  1. ^ Sharpe, Carla (2020), Froehlich, Annette (ed.), "Economic Growth Through Investment into Space Science and Technology: The African Colocation Programme", Space Fostering African Societies, Cham: Springer International Publishing, pp. 47–60, doi:10.1007/978-3-030-32930-3_4, ISBN 978-3-030-32929-7, retrieved 20 January 2026{{citation}}: CS1 maint: work parameter with ISBN (link)
  2. ^ a b Web, SARAO (2 October 2024). "Ms Carla Mitchell - Africa Programme Manager". South African Radio Astronomy Observatory - NRF/SARAO. Retrieved 20 January 2026.
  3. ^ "Foundation for Space Development | Driving Space Awareness, Outreach and Education". Retrieved 20 January 2026.
  4. ^ "Africa2Moon | Africa to the Moon". Africa2Moon. Retrieved 20 January 2026.
  5. ^ a b https://spaceinafrica.com/2025/04/24/africa2moon-project-selected-for-moon-mission/
  6. ^ Africa, Space in (11 March 2018). "Meet the top 13 women in the African Space Industry". Space in Africa. Retrieved 20 January 2026.
  7. ^ "International Space University's MBA is one giant leap for mankind to". The Independent. 2 June 2010. Retrieved 20 January 2026.
  8. ^ "University of Cape Town September 2025 Graduation Ceremony Faculty of Engineering & the Built Environment" (PDF).
  9. ^ https:www.forbesafrica.com/focus/2025/04/15/shooting-for-the-moon-africa-mission-near-lunar-south-pole-is-close-to-launch
  10. ^ http://www.chinafrica.cn/The_Latest_Headlines/txt/2013-09/29/content_570693.htm
  11. ^ von der Dunk, Frans, ed. (27 February 2015). Handbook of Space Law. Edward Elgar Publishing. doi:10.4337/9781781000366. ISBN 978-1-78100-036-6.
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