Top engineer scoops key space role

High-flying engineer, Dr Sarisha Harrylal, from the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s (UKZN) Aerospace Systems Research Institute (ASRI) has been appointed as a member of the South African Council for Space Affairs (SACSA), by the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Mr Parks Tau, for the term 2026 to 2029.

This marks a milestone achievement, not only for Dr Harrylal, but for UKZN ASRI whose profile has grown considerably over the past few years through its work on liquid and hybrid rocket propulsion systems.

SACSA is South Africa’s regulatory authority for space affairs and implements the space policy of South Africa. Its members advise the minister on matters that influence space affairs, supervise and implement matters arising from international conventions, treaties and agreements related to the common use of space, and, importantly, issue licences for space operations, including launch activities.

ASRI Director, Professor Michael Brooks said ASRI is enormously proud of the appointment: “Harrylal will carry significant responsibilities as one of the council’s 14 members, not least because the space regulatory environment is changing rapidly as countries throughout the world, including South Africa, ramp up their space engineering work. The South African satellite component manufacturing industry is going from strength to strength, and the government is placing increasing emphasis on the importance of developing an indigenous launch capability.

“ASRI is leading the way in this regard, but much work remains to be done to draft and enact the legislation that can facilitate commercially viable launches from South Africa. The new council will have its work cut out as it charts the way forward,” said Brooks.

Harrylal holds BScEng and MScEng degrees in Mechanical Engineering from UKZN, as well as an MBChB degree from UKZN’s Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine. She will continue as a full-time engineer with ASRI where she specialises in rocket flight dynamics, stability and trajectory simulation. Always eager to get stuck into the practical side of rocketry, she participates regularly in vehicle flight tests conducted by the institute both in South Africa and overseas.