NewSpace Systems Opens Africa’s Largest Commercial Space Hardware Manufacturing Facility

NewSpace Systems (NSS), a leading multinational spacecraft systems manufacturer and Africa’s largest exporter of space-utilised hardware, has opened its new 5,200 m² manufacturing facility in Somerset West, South Africa, which is now the largest commercial space component and subsystems manufacturing facility on the African continent.

The purpose-built hub is designed to support the rapidly growing global demand for flight-proven, high-precision hardware used on satellites and constellations, further strengthening Africa’s role in the international space supply chain. With this new facility, NSS is also establishing one of the most advanced commercial spacecraft component manufacturing hubs in the Southern Hemisphere.

At the heart of the facility is a 1,260 m² state-of-the-art cleanroom, complemented by an additional 120 m² engineering lab, all designed and built from the ground up for space manufacturing.

“Big, beautiful, and built for space manufacturing,” says Tanya Lerm, CEO of NewSpace Systems. “Every corner of this cleanroom reflects our commitment to quality, reliability, and mission success. From the controlled air environment to the precision our customers demand, every aspect of this facility was engineered to deliver hardware that performs flawlessly in space.

Highlights of the facility include:

• High-precision assembly lines for smooth, repeatable production
• Thermal and vibration testing zones to simulate extreme space conditions
• Helmholtz coil calibration areas for magnetically sensitive hardware
• Dark rooms for optical testing
• State-of-the-art HVAC systems to ensure ultra-clean manufacturing environments
• Thermal vacuum (TVAC) testing capability coming soon

Every unit produced meets IPC and/or ECSS standards and is manufactured in a 6S, LEAN production environment to ensure traceability, consistency, and uncompromising quality. With hardware trusted on spacecraft of up to six tons, NSS continues to be a preferred partner for satellite and constellation builders worldwide.

“This isn’t just a cleanroom,” adds Lerm. “It’s a commitment — to our customers, to the future of the space industry, and to ensuring every mission we support has the best possible chance of success.”

About NewSpace Systems 

NewSpace Systems (NSS) delivers flight-proven space hardware that empowers major satellite and constellation builders to Guide, Navigate, Control, and Communicate in orbit. As Africa’s largest exporter of space-utilised hardware, NSS has over 2,500 spacecraft already utilising its products, making them proven where it matters most: in space. Serving customers in more than 38 countries across six continents, NSS works closely with mission teams to turn complex challenges into reliable, on-orbit performance.

At the core of NSS is a commitment to precision, reliability, and innovation. Its portfolio spans essential spacecraft components and subsystems, including sun sensors, magnetometers, GPS receivers and antennas, reaction wheels, magnetorquer rods, and, most recently, RF communications.

Headquartered in South Africa, with offices in the United States, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand, NSS is a trusted international partner. Everything the company does is guided by a clear purpose: enabling a connected and informed world by delivering reliable, flight-proven systems that support missions from concept to mission success.