UKZN’s ASRI Receives ZAR 2.4 Million Grant for 3D-Printed Rocket Components
The Aerospace Systems Research Institute (ASRI) at the University of KwaZulu-Natal has been awarded a ZAR 2.4 million (USD 130,000) research grant from the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). The grant will fund research on metal 3D-printed rocket propulsion components, focusing on combustion chambers for the South African First Rocket Engine (SAFFIRE) programme.
This project is led by Nino Wunderlin, ASRI’s Senior Engineer for structures, and will be conducted in partnership with Metal Heart – Additive Manufacturing. The research aims to overcome one of the biggest challenges in rocket propulsion: the complexity and high cost of manufacturing combustion chambers. ASRI is investing significantly in advanced manufacturing capabilities, recognising that additive manufacturing (3D printing) can produce aerospace components that are lighter, stronger, and faster to manufacture. The research team plans to streamline production processes, lower costs, and improve engine performance through this technology.
The grant was awarded through the Collaborative Programme in Additive Manufacturing (CPAM) after a competitive selection process. ASRI’s proposal highlighted both the technological innovation of 3D printing and its potential applications across different industries.
ASRI’s Recent Developments
ASRI has been spearheading efforts to establish South Africa’s space launch capabilities through the development of their flagship programme, SAFFIRE- South African First Integrated Rocket Engine. This engine is designed to power an indigenous small satellite launch vehicle called the Commercial Launch Vehicle (CLV). The SAFFIRE engine is the heart of ASRI’s technical development efforts, aimed at producing an entirely South African-manufactured liquid rocket engine, with the engine performing successfully during its early testing.
Additionally, in October 2024, ASRI announced a research partnership in space propulsion engineering between the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) and the University of Glasgow’s Space and Exploration Technology Group. With funding of ZAR 2 million (USD 108,000) from the UK’s Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), this collaboration aims to enhance the design and quality of 3D manufactured components for space propulsion systems.
Furthermore, to further develop South Africa’s sovereign access to space, ASRI unveiled its new suborbital sounding rocket launch facility at the Denel Overberg Test Range (OTR) in the Western Cape. This new facility is a significant infrastructure towards developing Africa’s indigenous capabilities and positions ASRI as a leading provider of launch services on the continent.