South Africa development
Aerospace Systems Research Institute (ASRI-UKZN)
The Aerospace Systems Research Institute (ASRI) at the University of KwaZulu-Natal in Durban, South Africa, is developing the country's first indigenous liquid rocket engine under its SAFFIRE program, intended to power a sovereign two-stage Commercial Launch Vehicle.
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- Durban, South Africa
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- Academic
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About Aerospace Systems Research Institute
The Aerospace Systems Research Institute (ASRI) at the University of KwaZulu-Natal in Durban, South Africa, is developing the country's first indigenous liquid rocket engine under its SAFFIRE program, intended to power a sovereign two-stage Commercial Launch Vehicle. SAFFIRE is a 27kN kerosene/liquid-oxygen engine that uses electric pumps — brushless DC motors drawing on lithium-polymer battery banks — instead of a conventional gas-turbine turbopump; its SAFFIRE ABLE test article became the first liquid rocket engine successfully tested in Africa, producing 18.2kN of mean thrust.
The planned launch vehicle would cluster nine SAFFIRE engines on its booster stage and fly a vacuum-optimized SAFFIRE-V variant on its upper stage. In 2025, ASRI received a ZAR 2.4 million grant for 3D-printed rocket components and, with the South African National Space Agency (SANSA), unveiled a new rocket test gantry, with a suborbital sounding rocket flight targeted for 2028.
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Frequently asked about Aerospace Systems Research Institute
Quick answers to the questions readers most often search for.
- Where is Aerospace Systems Research Institute headquartered?
- Aerospace Systems Research Institute is headquartered in Durban, South Africa.
- What does Aerospace Systems Research Institute do?
- The Aerospace Systems Research Institute (ASRI) at the University of KwaZulu-Natal in Durban, South Africa, is developing the country's first indigenous liquid rocket engine under its SAFFIRE program, intended to power a sovereign two-stage Commercial Launch Vehicle. SAFFIRE is a 27kN kerosene/liquid-oxygen engine that…
- Is Aerospace Systems Research Institute a public or private company?
- Aerospace Systems Research Institute is a research institute and is not listed on any stock exchange.
- What sector does Aerospace Systems Research Institute operate in?
- Aerospace Systems Research Institute works in propulsion, Rocket engines and Research, plus 1 other space-industry sectors.
Data Accuracy Notice: Information about Aerospace Systems Research Institute (ASRI-UKZN) is compiled from publicly available sources including company websites, press releases, regulatory filings, and industry reports. Data is reviewed periodically but may not reflect the most recent developments.