South Africa’s aerospace sector received a major boost last week with the launch of a cutting-edge advanced manufacturing facility and the new headquarters of the Aerospace Systems Research Institute (ASRI) at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN).

The facility, unveiled on Tuesday by DSTI Director-General Dr. Mlungisi Cele, marks a significant step toward strengthening the country’s innovation capacity and global competitiveness. Cele emphasised the importance of government–industry–university collaboration, noting that the new hub bridges research excellence with industrial application.

“Our economy urgently needs a new generation of skilled engineers, scientists and innovators,” he said, highlighting additive manufacturing, robotics and advanced materials as priority growth areas. He added that the initiative aligns with the Science, Technology and Innovation Decadal Plan, which promotes localisation and technology-driven manufacturing.

Founded in 2009 and formally established as an institute in 2022, ASRI aims to become a global centre for aerospace propulsion research while supporting South Africa’s space-engineering ecosystem.

UKZN Deputy Vice-Chancellor Prof. Fhatuwani Mudau thanked the DSTI for its support, saying the investment positions the university as a national leader in scientific innovation. Aerospace Engineering Professor Glen Snedden noted that the upgraded infrastructure motivates engineers and students, with plans underway for a larger facility featuring a rocket-motor test site, production space and outreach centre.

If development stays on track, ASRI anticipates launching a suborbital rocket within five years and working toward orbital missions within a decade.

^{Source: SAGovNews}