German engineers learn about space technology from SA

21 March 2007 News

A group of young engineers from the Hochschule Ravensburg-Weingarten (University of Applied Sciences) in Germany visited South Africa recently on a study tour which included a visit to SunSpace in Stellenbosch, South Africa’s space technology company.

The German visitors were most interested in the overall engineering, the system engineering, with the quality control processes of particular interest. Part of the visit included discussions on technology development and the rigorous testing required for the space environment.

During their short visit they were able to interact with SunSpace engineers who have over 15 years of space experience. When the University of Stellenbosch launched South Africa's first satellite into space back in 1999, not many people gave a second thought that SA may become an internationally-competitive space nation. The project, named SUNSAT, which was managed by staff and engineers of the Faculty of Engineering, culminated in the formation of SunSpace.

The German visitors were impressed at the level of technology and capabilities in South Africa. SunSpace has demonstrated new cost/performance advantages in remote sensing satellites with the 15 m multispectral imager having set a new world benchmark for performance from a small 64 kg satellite. The company has developed three satellites in the 80 kg, 200 kg and 400 kg class, each satellite carrying a more sophisticated payload.

SunSpace, as part of its dedication to train more South African engineers in satellite and space technology, devised a Satellite Development Toolkit providing three main areas of training. Engineers are exposed to hands-on system level building of complete satellites in their own laboratory. The training is intertwined with a specific satellite mission that includes in-orbit commissioning and operational training. The third component is specialised satellite engineering training including detail design of components and sub systems.

For more information see www.sunspace.co.za

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