New sounding rocket facility at Overberg test range successfully launches two rockets

South Africa’s newly inaugurated sounding rocket facility successfully launched the Phoenix-1D and Phoenix-1E sounding rockets on 2 December and 4 December 2024, respectively. The Aerospace Systems Research Institute (ASRI) operates the facility under the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN). These events mark a pivotal step in advancing the nation’s space capabilities.

The facility’s gantry operated seamlessly during the launches, underscoring the precision and reliability of its design. Both rockets performed admirably during testing, reaching impressive altitudes of 16.6 kilometres and 11.9 kilometres. Notably, one of the vehicles transmitted magnetometer data sampled during its flight back to the ground via a telemetry link. This innovation provides the South African National Space Agency (SANSA) with an additional method for sampling the Earth’s magnetic field, further enhancing the country’s scientific contributions to global space research.

The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) continues establishing itself as a leader in developing high-performance hybrid rocket technology, ranking among the top universities worldwide in this specialised field.

ASRI’s recent developments
The launches come shortly after the Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Ms Nomalungelo Gina, officially unveiled the suborbital sounding rocket launch facility at the Denel Overberg Test Range in the Western Cape on 3 December, 2024. The facility is designed to serve as a pivotal resource for next-generation aerospace projects, the facility will be used for testing and preparing advanced rocket systems, support critical research initiatives and drive technological progress in the aerospace industry.

“This gantry is a national asset that will be used to launch suborbital rockets built by ASRI, but can also accommodate much larger solid-propellant vehicles of the type operated by space-faring nations, including other potential international clients on the continent and worldwide,” said Gina.

Unlike orbital launch vehicles that can steer themselves, suborbital rockets are unguided and must therefore be launched off a gantry that can be accurately aimed, depending on the required flight trajectory, mission requirements and safety risks.

The new launch gantry has a state-of-the-art aiming and control system to allow the boom to rotate through 360 degrees in the horizontal plane, while also enabling elevation up to the vertical position. This permits pinpoint aiming accuracy in any direction and fast adjustment to account for factors like changes in wind direction on launch days.

Standing as tall as a six-storey building when vertical, the boom can be lowered into the horizontal position during loading of the rocket on to the rail as well as for fitting of ground support systems to enable fuelling and the launch of the vehicle.

Additionally, through a partnership with the University of Glasgow, ASRI recently received funding of R2 million from the UK’s Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT). This collaboration aims to enhance the design and quality of 3D manufactured components for space propulsion systems.

In a recently signed partnership, ASRI also collaborated with its first commercially paying customer, MaxIQ, to launch a 1U payload aboard the ASRI’s Phoenix hybrid rocket. This test launch is a stepping stone for an even more ambitious mission planned for mid-2025, when students will launch a payload to the International Space Station (ISS). The launch of this national facility represents a major advancement in South Africa’s journey toward establishing a vibrant and sustainable space ecosystem. As operations commence, the facility actively elevates South Africa’s status in global space research while inspiring a new generation of space scientists, engineers, and innovators.

Prof. Mike Brooks, Director of ASRI, highlighted that the facility is equipped for advanced rocket testing, propulsion system development, and flight-testing new technologies. It also supports research in aerospace innovation, ensuring safe and efficient operations.

“The facility is designed to enable suborbital sounding rocket missions into the high atmosphere, and beyond into space. Many countries use sounding rockets to conduct research related to atmospheric physics, radiation and magnetism in regions that are too high for balloons and too low for orbiting satellites.”

“Sounding rockets help advance our understanding of the Earth and its atmosphere, but they are sizeable vehicles and need a purpose-built gantry from which to launch. The new facility makes it possible to launch ASRI’s smaller Phoenix hybrid rockets that reach around 18km and are used for training young engineers, but it can also accommodate much larger commercial sounding rockets that can achieve altitudes above 200 km, which is well into space,” said Prof. Brooks.