THE University of KwaZulu-Natal is celebrating yet another milestone following the appointment of high-flying engineer Dr Sarisha Harrylal to the South African Council for Space Affairs (SACSA).

Harrylal, who is part of the UKZN Aerospace Systems Research Institute (ASRI), will be a member of council for three years, from 2026 to 2029. ASRI Director Professor Michael Brooks said this was a huge achievement for Harrylal and UKZN.

“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,” said Brooks.

“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.”

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Harrylal is one of 14 member that are part of the SACSA, which is a regulatory authority for space affairs  tasked with implementing the space policy of South Africa and taking care of the interests, responsibilities and obligations of the country regarding its space and space-related activities.

“The new SACSA council will have its work cut out as it charts the way forward for regulatory processes that both protect the space industry, as well as encourage commercial activity in a responsible manner,” 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.

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