Newspace Systems

ENABLING EXPLORATION THROUGH INNOVATION

ENABLING EXPLORATION THROUGH INNOVATION

At the forefront of the African aerospace manufacturing industry, NewSpace Systems is breaking boundaries and pioneering new frontiers in technological advancements while contributing to economic growth on the continent. CEO, James Barrington-Brown, tells us more

Writer: Rachel Carr | Project Manager: Thomas Arnold

Born out of humanity’s insatiable curiosity to explore the cosmic expanse, the NewSpace Systems (NSS) narrative launched in 2013, when its CEO, James Barrington-Brown, recognised the untapped potential of manufacturing precision spacecraft components and sub-systems technology in South Africa (SA).

“I spearheaded the establishment of a European-class hub, and since then, NSS has been committed to the continuous expansion of manufacturing capabilities and R&D,” Barrington-Brown opens.

Evidently, the trusted multinational company continues to push the boundaries of innovation in the aerospace industry.

“Our products have been utilised on more than 2,000 spacecraft, and with over a decade of expertise in manufacturing guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) products, we have solidified our position as the largest exporter of spacecraft-utilised hardware on the African continent,” affirms Barrington-Brown.

To support its position, NSS’ headquarters are located in Somerset West, SA, employing over 100

skilled professionals. The company has additional strategically located branches across North America, Europe, and Oceania to bolster its global operations, alongside a diverse client base, ranging from commercial entities to government agencies.

“We’re supporting the majority of spacecraft manufacturers, encompassing esteemed blue-chip companies, constellation builders who comprise 500 or more satellites, and more than 17 national space agencies, including NASA.”

As experts in GNC technology, NSS products are integral for various

A THRILLING SPHERE TO WORK IN

Barrington-Brown’s journey into the aerospace industry began during his electronics degree Within his chosen study subject, developing and manufacturing space technology appealed to him as the most cutting-edge developments at the time were in two main sectors: space and defence.

“Opting for the former, I quickly transitioned into the space domain after spending three years in the high fidelity (Hi-Fi) industry. My career trajectory unfolded progressively, starting with roles in electronics design, before advancing into project management. Eventually, I became part of a management buyout and secured a directorship.

“What consistently captivated me was the untapped potential in the market for smaller, more costeffective satellites. This realisation prompted the establishment of NSS just over a decade ago.”

Recognising the significant advantage of operating in a lowercost environment in SA, NSS aims to produce high-performance and reliable spacecraft components at an economical price.

“It’s been an exciting journey, driven by the vision of making space missions more accessible through innovation and costeffectiveness,” Barrington-Brown reflects.

satellite missions. In the realm of communications and radar satellites, its equipment ensures precise antenna alignment, while for Earth observation satellites, it facilitates accurate camera pointing.

“What sets NSS apart is its adaptability to different satellite types, catering to both commercial and government needs. The success of our products is grounded in this versatility,” Barrington-Brown elaborates.

PIONEERING PRODUCTION PROCESSES

As the space industry undergoes a transformative shift, NSS is witnessing an increased focus on game-changing

constellation use. For certain missions, this translates to a higher frequency of captured images throughout the day, but this is not the only benefit.

“In communications, having a satellite constantly overhead enables seamless connectivity globally. Our primary focus is to align with the sector’s shift, contributing to the evolving landscape of space initiatives by enhancing our production volumes to meet the growing demands of these innovative mission profiles,” Barrington-Brown outlines.

Regarding spacecraft navigation control, the initial challenge lies in determining a position, considering there is no concept of up or down in space.

Retronix Unveils Comprehensive Tinning Service: Full Bill Of Material Alloy Conversion to GEIA Standards

Now Includes Chip Components And SOT’s

Retronix has significantly expanded its tinning service, which already included a wide range of component types, such as BGA, QFP, leaded devices, and QFNs, and has now incorporated chip capacitors and SOTs as well.

This expansion is a response to the industry's persistent concerns about tin whisker growth, particularly in space, avionics, and defense sectors where tin whisker failure is unacceptable.

RETRONIX BENEFITS

The automated tinning process developed by Retronix has made a remarkable advancement in the electronics industry, especially in the tinning of chip components to GEIA standards. Previously, the small size of components like capacitors and resistors posed a challenge for automated tinning.

However, Retronix has uniquely positioned itself to process all components from lead-free to tin/lead in accordance with the GEIA standard, providing customers with a comprehensive solution.

Source : nepp.nasa.gov

“To address the navigation issue, we utilise guides such as the Sun, which serves as a stable reference, along with the stars and the Earth’s magnetic field. This involves the use of Sun sensors, magnetometers, and stellar gyroscopes.

“Once the spacecraft’s position is established, the orientation is managed using Earth’s magnetic field, employing electro-magnetic rods and reaction wheels that utilise accelerating rotating masses.

“This approach minimises fuel consumption and ensures operational longevity. For orbit position, we incorporate Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) to precisely locate the spacecraft relative to Earth,” explains Barrington-Brown.

On the production side, NSS

“ROBOTS EXCEL IN REPETITIVE TASKS FOR MASS PRODUCTION, BUT WE RECOGNISE THAT SPACE-RELATED MANUFACTURING REQUIRES A MORE NUANCED APPROACH”

JAMES BARRINGTON-BROWN, CEO, NEWSPACE SYSTEMS

has invested in a unique, clean manufacturing facility in Africa. Drawing inspiration from the automotive and aviation industries, it implements controlled and repeatable processes.

“We house our production machinery in a dust-free, humidity and temperature-controlled environment, crucial for spacecraft manufacturing where reliability and longevity are paramount.”

The company has also invested in environmental testing capabilities that simulate the launch and orbital habitat in space, such as vibration machines to test mechanical robustness and thermal cycling ovens.

Accurately reproducing and testing components on the ground that have previously been qualified

for use in space is essential, given the impracticality of on-orbit maintenance or repairs.

“We employ a highly skilled product development team alongside our manufacturing capability, designing new products based on market demand and advances in available technology and material,” notes Barrington-Brown.

AEROSPACE EVOLUTION

The space activity landscape has recently undergone a profound transformation. Initially solely government-funded, it was mainly science-oriented and supported long-distance telecommunications. However, the industry has now moved significantly towards a commercially financed model.

“Companies are leveraging private investments to create services centred around supplying imaging data or global internet and mobile communications. However, the historical challenge has been the high cost of space infrastructure, making it difficult for these business models to formulate a viable plan,” he explains.

To tackle the problem, notable examples such as SpaceX have successfully reduced the cost of launching satellites. Similarly, NSS has played a crucial role in lowering the cost of manufacturing spacecraft platforms, enabling these spacebased services to compete effectively with their terrestrial counterparts.

“Once launched and deployed, satellites operate from solar power and maintain orbit with virtually no fuel consumption. This results in a very low-cost resource for many years of service. Therefore, the primary challenge lies in the initial price of building and launching

Executive Engineering was established in 1995, and with 29 years of experience, we are one of the top Precision Engineering companies in South Africa. We offer fully integrated, end-to-end, engineering component solutions. We pride ourselves in the supply of innovative precision machined components and sub-assemblies with fine tolerance restraints. While we are able to provide one-stop manufacturing and engineering solutions, we are willing to source any requirements that we do not offer.

Upholding our well-established philosophy of engineering brilliance, collaboration and adaptability in our manufacturing techniques, accompanied by the ability to machine a variety of material types, has enabled us to produce components that are suitable for almost any request. We are committed to investing in and staying abreast of the latest developments and innovations in the manufacturing industry.

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these assets into space,” informs Barrington-Brown.

Nevertheless, a notable surge in private investment and venture capital (VC) has been pouring into the space industry in the last five years, with a particular focus on constellations and lower-cost satellites.

This trend has created growth opportunities for prime and Tier 2 contractors, such as NSS.

“We liken ourselves to the shovel providers in the gold rush, as we supply essential components for the industry’s expansion,” he points out.

With a considerable influx of funding at the service level, there is a positive flow-down effect throughout the supply chain, benefitting prime and secondary contractors.

“At NSS, our role as suppliers to prime contractors has contributed to our success in this dynamic and growing industry, particularly in the field of GNC technology,” BarringtonBrown reports.

ONEWEB ONE WORLD

Early on in its journey, NSS was selected for the OneWeb programme - a global broadband satellite constellation featuring 650 spacecraft. The network provides the unique aspect of continuously operating a spacecraft overhead at any given point on the planet. This breakthrough allows for low latency global broadband and voice communications.

“In the context of Africa, this holds tremendous potential as, previously, rural communities outside the range of traditional cell phone towers could not access fast communication services,” enlightens Barrington-Brown.

Another benefit of the OneWeb programme is its impact on education and businesses, with advantages extending to telemedicine, enhancing health services, and contributing to overall societal well-being.

NSS’ VISION FOR THE FUTURE

• To meet the escalating market demand for products, NSS aims to double the number of production lines and quadruple production rates. This will be achieved by building a brand new, world-class production facility.

• Introduce radio frequency (RF) products, specifically in satellite communications. This expansion allows NSS to diversify its product range and cater to a broader market.

• Optimise products to align with next-generation standards, boasting enhanced performance and reliability in higher orbits. NSS believes these advancements will support current market needs and position it favourably in the rapidly evolving space industry.

“In essence, broadband serves as a critical enabler. It’s not just about connectivity; it’s about empowering people at the grassroots level and transforming society by bringing the benefits of space technology to everyday lives.”

It is important to note that NSS isn’t just a manufacturing entity; equally, it’s a product development company, necessitating a diverse skill set across engineering and industrialisation. Consequently, continual upskilling is a vital component of NSS’ workforce development.

“On the artisan side, we tap into a rich pool of skilled individuals who exhibit manual dexterity, patience, and precision qualities essential for producing high-quality and reliable products. We invest in their development by providing six months of training to meet international space standards.”

“WHAT SETS NSS APART IS ITS ADAPTABILITY TO DIFFERENT SATELLITE TYPES, CATERING TO BOTH COMMERCIAL AND GOVERNMENT NEEDS. THE SUCCESS OF OUR PRODUCTS IS GROUNDED IN THIS VERSATILITY”

JAMES BARRINGTON-BROWN, CEO, NEWSPACE SYSTEMS

Many employees embrace the space industry after joining NSS, which Barrington-Brown finds rewarding.

“Their contributions to space exploration can be truly inspirational; a mother returning home after a day’s work can share with her children that she played a part in building something destined for the Moon or Mars.

“Not only does this instil a sense of pride, but it also encourages the next generation to dream beyond their current circumstances, fostering aspirations to become astronauts, rocket scientists,

spacecraft designers, and builders,” he exclaims.

REVOLUTIONARY INVESTMENTS

With the rise and emergence of constellations entering the market, NSS focuses on scaling up its ability to produce high-reliability equipment in large volumes.

While there is a strong push towards Industrial Revolution 4.0, which emphasises replacing people with automation, artificial intelligence (AI), and robotics, Barrington-Brown advocates for a concept he terms Industrial Revolution 4.1.

“Rather than replacing people, we aim for efficiency by employing flexible, rapidly adaptable production lines that integrate human skills. This unique approach aligns with our vision for a more globally minded and game-changing manufacturing process,” he shares.

While NSS is introducing automation, it remains committed to preserving the human touch in the production process.

“Robots excel in repetitive tasks for mass production, but we recognise that space-related manufacturing requires a more nuanced approach. Space projects often involve small

batches, and humans offer a costeffective and efficient solution, especially in a low-cost environment like Africa,” details Barrington-Brown.

NSS’ investment strategy includes ongoing efforts to enhance its workforce’s skills, acknowledging that space manufacturing’s intricacies demand precision and customisation.

“In this pursuit, we have acquired advanced equipment, such as optical

inspection tools, designed to enhance the abilities of our skilled workforce instead of replacing them.

“These investments underscore our commitment to maintaining quality and reliability in the face of the challenging space environment, aligning with our goal of advancing space technology in a uniquely African manner,” Barrington-Brown concludes.