South African Space Industry Unites to Inspire Future Pioneers at Space Day 2025
South Africa’s leading space companies, NewSpace Systems, CubeSpace, Simera Sense, and CubeCom, together with the South African National Space Agency (SANSA), recently hosted Space Day 2025 on September 9, 2025.
This year’s event welcomed 300 Grade 10 and 11 learners from previously disadvantaged communities in and around Strand and Stellenbosch, bringing space directly into the classroom and sparking curiosity about opportunities in the local and global space sector.
The day opened with a keynote STEM talk by former NASA Astronaut Susan Kilrain, who shared her experiences of spaceflight and the critical role of science and engineering in exploration beyond Earth. Her story set the stage for a career-focused programme led by industry leaders, highlighting the diverse career paths available within South Africa’s rapidly growing space industry.
Earlier this year, the same group of companies supplied over 100 products on a single SpaceX launch, underscoring South Africa’s advanced capabilities on the global stage. Through Space Day, they are channelling that expertise back into local communities, ensuring that young South Africans see a future for themselves in the space sector.
Space Day 2025 also followed the G20 Space Economy Leaders Meeting (SELM), hosted by SANSA. The message of SELM echoed through the event: collaboration and empowerment are not only for today, but for the future—and investing in youth is key to achieving inclusive global economic development.
“Space is no longer a distant dream. South Africa is already a key supplier of advanced satellite technologies worldwide. With Space Day, our goal is to show learners that they can be part of this future, right here at home,” said Ané Verwoerd, Head of Marketing at NewSpace Systems.
By engaging directly with learners, Space Day 2025 aimed not only to inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers, and innovators but also to provide practical guidance on the educational pathways that lead to careers in STEM.
About Space Day
Space Day is a collaborative outreach initiative led by NewSpace Systems in partnership with Living Maths, and with key sponsors including CubeSpace, Simera Sense, CubeCom, and SANSA. First hosted in 2018, the event brings together learners, educators, and industry leaders to promote STEM education, highlight career opportunities in the South African space industry, and inspire the next generation of space pioneers.