Campus launches nano-satellite programme
ALREADY established as a regional leader in the field of nano satellites, Amaya Space has been set up by the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) and is set to launch the institution to even greater heights.
In 2013, CPUT made history with the launch of ZACUBE-1, South Africa’s and Africa’s first nano satellite.
Radio systems and other technologies developed at CPUT are also used in many satellites from around the world.
The Technology Transfer Office (TTO) at CPUT is a key enabler of the initiative. TTO director Dr Revel Iyer said it is critical that a strong, African-born nano satellite company emerges. “South Africa has a couple of nano satellite industry players.
“However, these companies are generally not truly transformed and representative of our nation’s demographics, as none of them are being run by black South Africans; none of them focus on employing young black South African engineering graduates; and none of them are well-positioned to be the preferred supplier for South African government.
“This company will furthermore aim to catalyse a transformational supplier development programme.”
French South African Institute of Technology at CPUT director Robert van Zyl said there was a collective body of knowledge, intellectual property, that had been created within CPUT.
“We want to respond to national directives like the government’s Operation Phakisa. Nano-satellite solutions can provide services to support Operation Phakisa, for example in the maritime domain.”
The company will aim to deliver fully functional “CubeSat” constellations primarily to the South African government, as well as governments elsewhere on the African continent and transform the emerging space industry.
“CPUT has been successful at academic and research levels to give previously disadvantaged students opportunities. We also employ them in our Africa Space Innovation Centre, as engineers-in-training. The expectation is that they will feed into and drive the company, and indeed the whole industry.”
The CPUT Satellite Programme is hosted by the French South African Institute of Technology and is strategically supported by the South African government through the Department of Science and Technology, the SA National Space Agency, the National Research Foundation and Development Finance Institutions.
Key industry partners include Stone Three and Etse Electronics in South Africa, and Clyde Space in Scotland.