The Western Cape is at the forefront of South Africa’s rapidly expanding space economy. As global demand surges for satellite connectivity, navigation systems, and AI- powered space insights, the region is becoming a critical node in the global space value chain.

References

Iderawumi, M. (2025). Key insights from the 2025 space industry outlook webinar. Available at:https://spaceinafrica.com/2025/02/20/key-insights-from-the-2025-space-industry-outlook-webinar/ [Accessed: 9 May 2025].

McKinsey and Company. (2024). The $18 trillion opportunity for global economic growth. Available at: https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/aerospace-and-defense/our-insights/space-the-1-point-8-trillion-dollar-opportunity-for-global-economic-growth [Accessed: 9 May 2025].

Quantec. (2025). EasyData.

Wesgro. (2024). Pioneers, space innovation in the Cape. Available at: https://www.wesgro.co.za/corporate/resources/pioneers-podcasts-space-innovation-in-the-cape-7th-edition [Accessed: 10 May 2025].

South African National Space Agency. (2024). SANSA payload takes flight at South Africa's new rocket gantry. Available at: https://www.sansa.org.za/2024/12/sansa-payload-takes-flight-at-south-africas-new-rocket-gantry/ [Accessed: 13 May 2025].

National Aeronautics and Space Administration. (2025). Artemis.

Cape Peninsula University of Technology. (2013). ZACUBE-1 launch makes history. Available at: https://www.cput.ac.za/academic/faculties/engineering/93-faculties-and-short-courses/faculty-of-engineering/6640-zacube-1-launch-makes-history [Accessed: 13 May 2025].

University of Cape Town News. (2024). UCT and MeerKAT make giant strides in unveiling mysteries of the universe. Available at: https://www.news.uct.ac.za/article/-2024-12-06-uct-and-meerkat-make-giant-strides-in-unveiling-mysteries-of-the-universe#:~:text=By%20harnessing%20the%20extraordinary%20capabilities%20of%20South%20Africa%E2%80%99s,innovative%20strides%20in%20unveiling%20mysteries%20of%20the%20universe. [Accessed: 13 May 2025].

Cape Peninsula University of Technology. (n.d.). Available at: https://www.cput.ac.za/world-space-week#:~:text=In%202013%2C%20F'SATI%20at,of%20advanced%20CubeSat%20radio%20systems. [Accessed: 13 May 2025]

Oni, D. (2021). Cape Town startups stake their claim in the small satellite industry. Available at: https://spaceinafrica.com/2021/06/15/cape-town-startups-stake-their-claim-in-the-small-satellite-industry/ [Accessed: 13 May 2025].

The Foundation for Space Development South Africa. (2011). The South African space industry. Available at: https://brycetech.com/reports/report-documents/South_African_Space_Industry_2011.pdf [Accessed: 13 May 2025]