A South African small satellite component manufacturer just improved its standing and export capabilities to world markets in a pact signed with a USA counterpart. Newspace Systems Pty LTD from Cape Town, South Africa signed up with Oakman Aerospace, Inc. from Colorado, USA at the 4S Symposium for small Earth observations satellites held in Malta earlier this month in a deal which they believe will give them a competitive edge in the small satellite market.

“This pact is not only about extending our business and increasing exports for our country but also recognition of African capability in the sophisticated high-tech small satellite market,” says James Barrington-Brown, CEO of NewSpace Systems, which has already secured some 30 contracts from 11 different countries. Both companies are specialists in various fields of the small satellite industry and the partnership will enable them to establish a unique technical platform for inter alia the manufacture and operation of small satellites with interchangeable modular components sourced from different suppliers. This will help to extend a satellite's service lifetime and ultimately reduce costs.

Their products will be available to government, commercial, and academic customers across the globe. Their first MoU now paves the way for a Master Service Agreement after which they will pursue a Technical Assistance Agreement through the United States Department of State Directorate of Defense Trade Controls.
Stanley Kennedy, President and Chief Systems Engineer for Oakman Aerospace, Inc, commented on the MoU with the following: “Oakman Aerospace is very excited for this opportunity to work with NewSpace Systems in developing and advancing modular, open-systems architecture and leveraging the competitive advantage this agreement brings to the United States and world markets. OAI and NSS look forward to providing the best possible engineering products and services for their academic, government, and industry partners.”

James Barrington-Brown, CEO added:  “With NewSpace’s market leading product solutions for the Smallsat market, widely recognized through a multitude of international sales, it is a logical next step to focus more directly on the most significant Smallsat community, which is in the USA. Given their similarities in size, experience and strategic outlook, OAI makes the perfect partner for our next stage of company investment and growth.” Oakman Aerospace, Inc. is a veteran, woman-owned business focused on space mission engineering and simulation; mission analysis; orbit design and orbit constellation design; spacecraft design, analysis and simulation; payload design and analysis; and flight software development.

NewSpace Systems, which has it main facility in South Africa and a subsidiary in the UK, has as shareholders Space Commercial Services Aerospace Group, South Africa's biggest private satellite company as well as a Dutch investor.

NewSpace Systems operates its own European Space Agency standard Clean Room facility, which is the only one in Africa. Some of their flagship products secured in over 30 contracts from 11 countries world-wide include inter alia a Fine-Sun Sensor for NASA's iSat test for interplanetary propulsion, a Magnetotorquer for a Swedish scientific mission and a high altitude GPS system, developed in conjunction with the University of Stellenbosch, which determines the positions of satellites in space.

Please see www.newspacesystems.com and www.oak-aero.com for more information.