Rocket tests taking place at UKZN

[Daniel Puchert]

South Africa's big rocket launch plans

South Africa could become home to fully-fledged orbital space rocket launches in the next four years if the Aerospace Systems Research Institute (ASRI) has its way.

ASRI was officially launched in May 2024, operating under the mechanical engineering faculty at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN).

 

[Swa]

Gweezy's farts?

 

[ThinkCentre]

Can we send politicians as a test onboard these rockets? I can give a short list if needed.

 

[Fuzzbox]

All the 30%ers will be good for will be lighting the rocket.

 

[Moosedrool]

In all seriousness. Rocketry into LEO is becoming a fairly private race I just can’t see how anyone capable will fund this here.

 

[Harmonic]

In all seriousness. Rocketry into LEO is becoming a fairly private race I just can’t see how anyone capable will fund this here.

100%. It's a still born

 

[dabbler]

We are nowhere near the equator. Rockets for weather prediction, etc. maybe?

 

[FiestaST]

More hot air courtesy of the guavament

 

[Ockie]

Would be cool, but all that pops into my head is:

 

[r00igev@@r]

Gweezy's farts?

Haaibio! Those will launch anyone to Mars and beyond!

 

[neoprema]

They'll get international and venture funding and 10 years from now there will be nothing more than a roman candle getting fired from a fireworks shop and then the usual "We do not know where the Rxxx millions went to"....

 

[Shadowchaser1]

Maybe a strong business case for a 3rd world country? So how long will it take to improve the quality of maths & science in SA schools? Just asking.

 

[Vorastra]

Gweezy's farts?

Sounds wet.

 

[dualmeister]

A bit late. Most SA Engineers sitting in the UAE these days.

University of KwaZulu-Natal

Hopefully they stop rioting long enough to build a rocket.

 

[ghaye]

More hot air courtesy of the guavament

Jirre, they got that wrong as well!? Hot air is for balloons, rockets need fuel.

 

[Moosedrool]

Would be cool, but all that pops into my head is:

View attachment 1751265

 

[Sarg3_ZN]

Gweezy's farts?

Rocket tests, not chemical weapon testing.

 

[garyc]

It might be worth mentioning in the article that South Africa has already launched three rockets into space - i.e. above the Karman line of 100km altitude. These were the RSA-3 series rockets, where two of them achieved an apogee of 300km. This was during the period of 1989-1990. The US subsequently closed down the programme and the facilities were destroyed.

One of the prototypes is on display at the SAAF museum in Pretoria.

 

[Swa]

Can we send politicians as a test onboard these rockets? I can give a short list if needed.

Only a short one?

 

[dabbler]

It might be worth mentioning in the article that South Africa has already launched three rockets into space - i.e. above the Karman line of 100km altitude. These were the RSA-3 series rockets, where two of them achieved an apogee of 300km. This was during the period of 1989-1990. The US subsequently closed down the programme and the facilities were destroyed.

One of the prototypes is on display at the SAAF museum in Pretoria.

View attachment 1751307

View attachment 1751310

View attachment 1751311

Did these guys go to school?