Everything You Need to Know About Kenya’s Nakuja Rocket Programme
The Kenya Space Agency (KSA) is mandated to promote, coordinate, and regulate space-related activities to enhance the use of space technology for national socioeconomic development. Its role is to develop the space sector and provide leadership and advisory services in policy, legislation, and programmes related to this sector.
As part of the agency’s priority focus on developing national space capabilities, it actively supports the Nakuja rocket project. This initiative aims to advance space development in Kenya, with the ultimate goal of building liquid propellant rockets to launch nanosatellites into orbit.
Space in Africa chatted with Aloyce Were, the Acting Deputy Director of Navigation and Positioning at KSA to learn more about Nakuja’s progress and milestones.
Could you outline the roadmap for the Nakuja project, including key phases and expected outcomes?
One of our strategic goals at KSA is to develop national space capabilities, and the launch segment is a key area identified as a potential part of this national capability, especially given Kenya’s ideal location for equatorial launches. Launching from near the equator eastwards saves fuel due to the initial boost from the Earth’s natural rotation. Developing national capabilities means we need local capacity to support the dream of hosting an equatorial spaceport. This includes both human capital and homegrown technology.
To this end, the agency partnered with Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, leading to the development of the Nakuja rockets. We have successfully tested a series of rockets: Nakuja 1, Nakuja 2, Nakuja 3, and most recently, Nakuja 3.5. We aim to scale up, optimise performance, improve high-altitude capabilities, and ensure quality and operational requirements. This project, other than growing human capacity in rocketry, is an enabler in understanding launch sector dynamics and necessary intergovernmental coordination, including those with civil aviation and the communication authority, to be able to develop mechanisms and systems efficient for hosting the anticipated equatorial launch site.
Our milestones include capacity building and sensitising the team on rocket engineering and launch vehicles, led by Dr Shohei Aoki, the Nakuja’s Rocket team lead. We have a multidisciplinary team across various engineering disciplines, mainly students from Jomo Kenyatta University and other partnering universities like Kenyatta University, the University of Nairobi, and the Technical University of Kenya.
We divided the project into teams with specific focus areas: rocket motor design, attitude control, stability, airframes, avionics, recovery systems, and communication systems. Each team produces a functional module that integrates into the complete Nakuja rocket. The first phase targeted a 200-metre altitude, which we achieved. The second phase, Nakuja 2, also reached 500 metres. Nakuja 3 aimed for 1000 metres and succeeded, and we are now targeting higher altitudes, with plans for Nakuja 3.5 to reach 1,500 metres.
We aim to develop a Kenyan-designed, manufactured, and operated rocket capable of delivering payloads to space. This will be a proud moment for Kenya, showcasing our ability to develop, manufacture, and utilise advanced space technology. The Nakuja project is paving the way, and we are on the path to achieving this ambitious dream.
Can you provide an overview of the Nakuja 3.5 rocket in terms of technical details and performance metrics? What technological advancements or innovations were incorporated into the rocket?
We have never had a rocket designed and made in Kenya. So, we are using the design tools available and local materials to create a simple yet high-performance rocket capable of developing a full-scale rocket capable of delivering payloads to space. First and foremost, we are not using expensive commercial off-the-shelf components. Everything is locally fabricated, with the motors designed and made here in Kenya by our engineering students. We are leveraging technology and local human capital to achieve this goal.
What are the key design elements that distinguish the rocket from earlier models?
We mainly use locally available materials for the key features. Unlike other rockets, we specially make our modules and engines locally, and we custom-make everything to fit our rocket. We use advanced materials, such as reinforced carbon fibres, for the airframe. The team improvised the stability fins for stability systems. We also enhance safety by incorporating a recovery system to ensure that, unlike other rockets, we specially make our modules and engines locally. Moreso, not pose a ballistic threat upon return. This recovery system ensures public safety. We considered all available design codes and factored in sustainability elements while ensuring compliance with international design and quality standards.
What challenges did the team face during the development and testing of the Nakuja 3.5 rocket, and how did they overcome them?
The main challenge has been convincing people that developing an operational rocket in Kenya is possible. People see rocket science as something alien to Africa. Convincing others that we can achieve this took a lot of work. Another challenge was determining where to test the rocket safely without posing a public safety risk. We have only proved our systems’ safety and reliability through rigorous tests. In addition, controlling the rocket within a designated area was a concern. However, we addressed this by maintaining constant communication with the rocket, ensuring it relays data in real-time, and planning its flight path. This allows us to predict the flight trajectory, potential landing zones, and danger areas and overcome obstacles through teamwork and persistence to assure the authorities of the rocket’s safety.
Furthermore, the Nakuja Rocket project heavily relied on local expertise. The project lead is a professor who mentors the team, backed by six engineering professors and experts from the agency. The actual work was done by students organised into teams, each led by a professor specialising in different areas, such as electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, communication, avionics systems, airframes, propulsion, recovery systems, and ignition systems. This multidisciplinary team combines academia and industry expertise to meet all standards and safety measures.
Regarding challenges regarding the rocket’s performance during field tests, we assessed thrust, stability, aerodynamics, and other factors. The results validated the virtual designs and will help us optimise future models. Each project phase builds on the previous one, improving and scaling up the rocket. The altitudes achieved have increased from 200 metres to 500 metres, then to 1,000 metres, and now 1.5 kilometres. The next goal is 2.5 kilometres. The results from each test help refine the design, enabling us to create larger models capable of reaching higher altitudes.
What partnerships have been crucial in developing and manufacturing the Nakuja 3.5?
Beyond the major partnering institutions I mentioned, some other partners work with us. For some processes, such as the precision machining of components, we typically outsource to Kenyan industries, including the mechanical and electrical sectors. This coordination allows us to leverage national capabilities to contribute to the final product. Most of the work is done within educational institutions, but we source some services from the private sector. This integration supports the current project and helps build a robust support base locally. Public-private synergy will be crucial for developing a full-scale rocket, ensuring both sectors support Kenya’s launch vehicle initiative.
What are the next steps for the Nakuja series after this successful field test?
The Kenya Space Agency is looking to develop a spaceport in Kenya. The development of a spaceport requires a robust support system, including a launch vehicle. While building capacity through the Nakuja series, we also focus on infrastructure development in collaboration with our development partners. We have identified a spaceport location and plan to establish the necessary facilities and infrastructure soon.
In addition, we are cultivating a well-trained workforce with extensive knowledge of rocketry and rocket operations. We are also optimising our launch vehicle through progressive improvements in the Nakuja series. The goal is to have a fully functional launch vehicle capable of being launched from our spaceport, marking a significant achievement for Africa and the greater space community.
This multi-tier project encompasses capacity building, launch vehicle development, and infrastructure creation to support the future spaceport. Furthermore, KSA is working on developing its legal framework, including a space bill, enhanced space policies, and regulations. These efforts support an efficient regulatory framework for the anticipated launch operations.
The Nakuja project is a pilot/test-run initiative to develop key aspects to create an enabling environment for business, space investment, research, and innovation in our space sector. The major goal is to establish strategic objectives to support our national space capabilities and provide an enabling environment for stakeholders.
What are the specific timelines for the upcoming test launches and key milestones in the project?
Each phase of the Nakuja Rocket project has a defined timeline. For instance, the first six months focused on team building, achieved in the first year. The project’s second phase aims to achieve specific milestones by the second year. The project encompasses both short-term and long-term goals. Capacity building is an ongoing process, while rocket development is more immediate. The development of the spaceport is a longer-term objective. Over the next five to ten years, the project aims to accomplish most of its goals. This plan combines ongoing activities with short-term and medium-term expectations.
How is the Nakuja Rocket series project funded?
As an agency, we support and encourage the growth of our national space capabilities. This project enabled the team to develop launch capabilities, vehicles, and understanding for space operations and frameworks, essential for full-scale spaceport operations. We run a “Research Grants Programme” and partner with local universities, NewSpace startups, and our international partners.
We fund space systems development through these research grants and support private-sector research and startups. These include the Nakuja project. This project has enabled us to develop launch capabilities and vehicles, understand the operations required for space projects, and navigate the necessary frameworks and coordination for full-scale spaceport operations.
Furthermore, we are scaling up these efforts for our final launch vehicle. Preparing for a spaceport involves understanding infrastructure needs, international partnership obligations, quality assurance systems, and testing systems. The Nakuja project has been instrumental in helping us prioritise and understand the requirements for achieving our strategic objectives, including fostering an enabling environment for space business and innovation in the space sector.