Four Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering graduates are soaring to new heights thanks to the talent pipeline at UKZN’s Aerospace Systems Research Institute (ASRI).
Research conducted by the four students – Mr Mthobisi Tshomela, Mr Rylan Odayan, Mr Brent Yelland and Mr Ruben Tukker – has made significant contributions to South Africa’s aerospace sector. All four completed their postgraduate studies within ASRI, forming part of its focused talent pipeline. This initiative, funded by the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation, has become a cornerstone of South Africa’s efforts to develop indigenous launch vehicle capabilities and nurture the next generation of aerospace engineers.
Directed by Professor Mike Brooks, ASRI is South Africa’s only academic research group dedicated to launching vehicle systems. It plays a key role in the design, testing and operation of suborbital sounding rockets such as those in the Phoenix series, and propulsion systems including the liquid-fuelled SAFFIRE engine (South African First Integrated Rocket Engine).
Beyond its technical innovations, ASRI has built a comprehensive training environment that supports student research while aligning with national aerospace priorities.
Professor Glen Snedden, who oversees the ASRI talent development programme, noted: “This is exactly what the ASRI talent pipeline was designed to achieve. We aim to give young South African engineers the skills, mentorship and opportunities they need to contribute meaningfully to national and international aerospace efforts. These graduates are proof that it’s working.”
Tshomela’s thesis focused on the development of a payload module for the Phoenix-1C hybrid sounding rocket. His research entailed the design and integration of a nose cone system capable of accommodating three 1U CubeSats supplied by the South African National Space Agency (SANSA), MaxIQ Space and Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT).
The module included a parachute recovery system and embedded telemetry and avionics, ensuring that the payload could be tracked and recovered post-flight. The work enabled ASRI to collect valuable flight and ground data, while simultaneously allowing local institutions to perform scientific experiments using a South African-developed rocket platform.
Reflecting on his experience, Tshomela said: “Studying through UKZN gave me a strong foundation in mechanical engineering, and ASRI gave me the platform to apply that knowledge to real aerospace challenges.” Tshomela has since joined ASRI as a full-time engineer.
Odayan’s research investigated suborbital rocket operations at the Denel Overberg Test Range in the Western Cape. By using ASRI’s in-house simulation software, PyROPS, he evaluated performance metrics, safety considerations and launch window constraints, drawing from historical weather data to inform more accurate planning models. His work has immediate applications for future launches, optimising conditions for experimental payload missions from South African soil.
Odayan acknowledged the value of his academic journey, stating: “Studying at UKZN was a valuable experience, and I’m grateful for the excellent support from the University and my supervisors. Progressing from conducting research to working as an engineer at ASRI has provided many exciting development opportunities.” He now continues his work at ASRI, actively contributing to mission planning and flight campaigns.
Yelland’s thesis focused on the aerodynamic behaviour of two sub-orbital launch vehicles under development at ASRI: the first nicknamed STeVe, and a planned commercial launch vehicle (CLV). Through extensive use of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and semi-empirical modelling methods, Yelland characterised the external flow over these vehicles, producing data that can improve the accuracy of flight trajectory predictions, particularly in estimating maximum altitude and splashdown locations.
Yelland described his postgraduate experience as highly rewarding, citing the expertise of UKZN lecturers and the hands-on exposure to flight testing at ASRI as standout aspects of his training. Following graduation, he has taken up a position at Milkor in Cape Town, where he is now engaged in cutting-edge drone development.
Tukker, who graduated cum laude, focused on the design and optimisation of electro-pumps for ASRI’s SAFFIRE liquid-fuelled rocket engine. His research addressed shaft design and the reduction of hydraulic loads, resulting in robust methodologies and hardware designs for what he describes as “the heart of the rocket engine.” His contribution plays a vital role in the ongoing development of South Africa’s first domestically designed liquid propulsion system.
Reflecting on his journey, Tukker remarked: “It has been a childhood dream of mine to be a rocket scientist. It seemed a hopeless dream and impossible to achieve in South Africa, until I found ASRI. Now it has become a reality.”
Tukker now works as a full-time engineer at ASRI, helping to turn theoretical propulsion models into practical, flight-ready systems.
Brooks elaborated on the current focus of the research institute: “ASRI is working on a range of aerospace technologies. Our primary focus is the SAFFIRE liquid rocket engine and all of its subsystems, including high-performance electric pumps and advanced regeneratively cooled combustion chambers. Aside from this, we work on satellite propulsion units and the design of aerostructures for the launch vehicles that we’ll be testing over the next few years, like enhanced variants of the Phoenix rocket and the space-capable Suborbital Test Vehicle, STeVe.”
Commenting on the significance of the group’s graduation, he said: “This graduating class represents the best of what we’re building at ASRI. They’re not just engineers, they’re pioneers.”
Words: Sally Frost
Photographs: Sethu Dlamini and Vangie Lewis