South African Space Companies Supply Over 100 Products in Latest SpaceX Transporter-14 Launch

Key Highlights

• Six South African space companies contributed advanced satellite technologies to the successful SpaceX Transporter-14 mission.
• Local firms supplied imaging payloads, ADCS units, communications systems, and navigation components to over a dozen spacecraft.
• The mission highlights South Africa’s growing role in the global space economy, supported by a strong local manufacturing base.

South Africa’s growing space sector took another significant leap forward during the recent SpaceX Transporter-14 rideshare mission, with six local companies collectively supplying 116 products to the global launch. Simera Sense, Dragonfly Aerospace, CubeSpace, CubeCom, NewSpace Systems and Chromar Technology collectively delivered a diverse range of imaging payloads, satellite subsystems, and high-reliability components, further solidifying South Africa’s reputation as a competitive player in the global new space economy.

This collective success is made possible not only by the engineering expertise of these companies but also by the strength of South Africa’s advanced local manufacturing sector. Precision components, electronics, and subsystems, produced domestically, form the backbone of the technologies launched, showcasing a national capability that’s both world-class and space-proven.

Overview of Products Delivered

Among the highlights was Simera Sense, which supplied 12 imaging products, including hyperspectral and multispectral imagers, as well as electronics for additional multispectral systems. “It’s a proud moment to see so many Simera Sense payloads designed and built right here in South Africa delivered to orbit on a launch of this scale,” said Thys Cronje, Chief Commercial Officer at Simera Sense. “This reflects both the quality of local engineering and the global confidence we’ve earned.”

Dragonfly Aerospace added a high-performance multispectral payload to the mission, extending its track record of enabling critical Earth observation capabilities worldwide. According to Francois Mostert, CEO of Cameras, “South Africa’s growing presence in the space ecosystem and the strength of its innovation in orbit were once again demonstrated on this launch.”

Also onboard were components from CubeSpace, which supported six customer satellites with 64 attitude control products, including reaction wheels, magnetorquers, sun sensors, and fully integrated ADCS systems. “Transporter-14 was deeply personal for our team,” said CEO Mike-Alec Kearney, “because we were involved with several customers from mission design through to launch and commissioning.

NewSpace Systems supplied over 27 components to seven clients, including their 6Nms Reaction Wheels, 0.65Nms Reaction Wheels, Magnetometers, Sun Sensors and a range of Magnetorquer Rods, supporting a variety of Small Satellite missions with their precision navigation and control systems. “Our involvement in this launch underscores NewSpace’s commitment to delivering high-quality, reliable solutions,” said CEO Tanya Lerm, adding that NewSpace Systems is anchored in its customers’ mission success.

Adding to the momentum, CUBECOM delivered 12 communication subsystems, enabling key CubeSat communication capabilities. “It’s an exciting time for the space industry, both here at home and around the world,” said Johann de Swardt, CEO at CUBECOM. “Things are moving fast, and we’re proud to be part of that growth and energy.”

Additionally, Chromar Technology, headquartered in Somerset West, was responsible for the design, development, qualification, testing, and alignment of two 250mm F/4 Catadioptric lenses for a European satellite. The satellite, developed by a European university under the supervision of the European Space Agency (ESA), marked the maiden flight for this new optical payload. This achievement puts the number of different lens design types from Chromar that now have space heritage at 12, and they are involved in the development of a further 10 lenses, all for application in space.

With this milestone, South Africa’s space industry continues to position itself as a trusted supplier of cutting-edge technologies for commercial, scientific, and governmental missions worldwide.

About the Transporter Missions

The SpaceX Transporter programme provides cost-effective launch opportunities for small satellites through regular rideshare missions. Transporter-14 carried over 80 payloads into low Earth orbit, enabling a wide array of commercial and scientific applications.

About Simera Sense

Simera Sense is a leading provider of optical payloads and data analytics solutions for satellite Earth observation. Founded in 2018 and headquartered in Leuven, Belgium, the company serves the medium- to high-resolution optical needs of more than 50 clients worldwide.

About Dragonfly Aerospace

Dragonfly Aerospace develops high-performance imaging satellites and electro-optical payloads that deliver precision Earth observation data at scale. With flight-proven technology and vertically integrated manufacturing in South Africa, Dragonfly enables smarter decision-making for agriculture, environmental monitoring, and beyond.

About CubeSpace

CubeSpace (CS) is a globally recognised leader in Attitude Determination and Control Systems (ADCS), supporting over 250 customers in more than 30 countries. Leading in ADCS innovation and cutting-edge solutions, CS is a trusted supplier to major space agencies like NASA and ESA, as well as a majority of constellation primes and ambitious commercial satellite builders. Supporting customers from design through to commissioning, CS is setting a new gold standard for control systems globally.

About NewSpace Systems

NewSpace Systems (NSS) is a trusted multinational manufacturer of spacecraft components and subsystems, headquartered in South Africa with additional branches in North America, Europe, and Oceania. As a leader in Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) technologies, NSS brings over a decade of experience and proudly supports the majority of commercial spacecraft manufacturers worldwide.

About CUBECOM

CUBECOM specialises in the design, development, and manufacture of communication sub-systems for satellites. The company focuses on enabling reliable data links for missions requiring high-throughput performance, particularly in Earth observation and space exploration. Its systems are engineered to maximise data capture at the highest possible transmission speeds, with product performance tailored to specific mission requirements.

About Chromar Technology

Chromar Technology is a privately owned South African company that develops specialised optical systems with various applications, including airborne, space, naval, medical, industrial, security, mining, and forestry. As of May 2025, Chromar has more than 260 original optical designs, many of which are unique concepts.