South Africa Strengthens Aerospace Capability with Launch of ASRI Headquarters and Advanced Manufacturing Facility
South Africa’s aerospace engineering landscape advanced significantly this week with the inauguration of the Advanced Manufacturing Facility and the new headquarters of the Aerospace Systems Research Institute (ASRI) at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN).
The facilities were officially opened on Tuesday, 11 November 2025, by Dr Mlungisi Cele, Director-General of the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI). The development represents a strategic investment aimed at strengthening South Africa’s national innovation system’s global competitiveness.
Government Priorities and System-Level Alignment
In his address, Dr Cele underscored the importance of coordinated partnerships across government, academia and industry in meeting national objectives. He emphasised that ASRI and the new manufacturing facility strengthen the link between scientific research, engineering capability and industrial application, a central pillar of the DSTI’s long-term strategic direction.
“Our economy urgently needs a new generation of skilled engineers, scientists and innovators who can drive productivity, competitiveness and inclusive growth,” Dr Cele stated. “Facilities such as this provide hands-on experience with advanced technologies while cultivating the problem-solving capabilities essential to South Africa’s future.”
He highlighted additive manufacturing, robotics, and advanced materials as priority areas for capability development. Furthermore, he noted that the Science, Technology and Innovation Decadal Plan places strong emphasis on localisation, technology-driven manufacturing, and youth skills development aligned with the demands of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
Reflecting on the broader significance, Dr Cele added: “As we open the doors of this facility and ASRI’s new offices, we also open the door to new possibilities for innovation, partnership and a more prosperous South Africa.”
ASRI’s Role in National Capability Development
ASRI traces its origins to 2009, when it was established as the Aerospace Systems Research Group. It was formally recognised as an institute within UKZN’s School of Engineering in 2022. In addition, its mandate is to advance aerospace propulsion research, strengthen South Africa’s space engineering economy, and expand the country’s technical human capital in aerospace propulsion engineering.
Prof. Fhatuwani Mudau, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Head of the College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science, expressed appreciation for DSTI’s confidence in UKZN. Furthermore, he affirmed that the investment would support the university’s role as a vehicle for national development and that ASRI is positioned to serve as a model institution in strengthening scientific and engineering capacity.
Professor Mudau noted the national recognition UKZN has received due to ASRI’s work in rocket propulsion research. He encouraged young engineers at the institute and the Advanced Manufacturing Facility to take the opportunity to advance national capability, stressing that South Africa must develop the ability to compete independently by identifying and executing areas of strategic strength.
Click here to learn more about ASRI and its work in propulsion research.
Engineering Capability and Infrastructure Expansion
Prof. Glen Snedden, Professor of Aerospace Engineering at UKZN, said the new office and manufacturing infrastructure demonstrate a tangible institutional commitment to ASRI’s long-term programme. This, he noted, is both enabling and motivating for engineers and students.
He explained that the computer numerical control (CNC) manufacturing capabilities now allow up to 70% of propulsion engine components to be produced in-house, significantly reducing production timelines and, in certain cases, costs. This accelerates testing cycles and supports ASRI’s objective of developing the capability to launch satellites into low Earth orbit (LEO), defined as altitudes of 2,000 km or less, from South African soil.
Human Capital Development and National Talent Pipeline
On skills development, Snedden highlighted ASRI’s two core objectives:
- Building a sovereign satellite launch capability for South Africa (and the broader region), and
- Developing the engineering and operational skills required to support such a capability.
“There is no existing pool of rocket scientists in South Africa for us to draw from, so we have to develop the talent,” Prof. Glen Snedden explained.
ASRI’s approach includes active outreach, partnerships with NGOs, DSTI, and the South African National Space Agency, and the identification of promising undergraduate students who are then offered mentorship and internships. Furthermore, the institute also supports postgraduate training and is currently working with graduates from Stellenbosch University, the University of Pretoria, the University of the Witwatersrand, and UKZN itself.
Future Infrastructure and Programme Development
Professor Snedden shared that the next planned phase is the establishment of a purpose-built facility on currently undeveloped university land. This development would include:
- A local static test capability for rocket motor firings
- A production facility
- Dedicated offices and lecture theatres
- An outreach centre designed around aerospace research and education
“If all goes well, we expect to launch a suborbital rocket within five years and achieve orbital launch capability within ten years,” he said.
New Facilities and Institutional Strengthening
The newly inaugurated ASRI offices include:
- A boardroom with teleconferencing systems
- A meeting room for collaborative sessions
- An advanced computing suite for simulation and analysis
These enhancements are expected to improve productivity, the professional environment, and community cohesion within the institute, while also strengthening ASRI’s ability to attract industry partners, research funding, and postgraduate talent. In addition, UKZN awarded the DSTI a Platinum Donor Award, granted for contributions of ZAR 1 million or more, in recognition of the Department’s continued support.
This article was originally published on the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation’s website on November 13, 2025. Read the original article here.