SANSA Hosts Local Youth for Practical Experience During Their Engineering Studies

Three local students worked at the South African National Space Agency (SANSA) in Hermanus for four weeks to complete the practical requirements of their engineering studies at Stellenbosch University (SU). 

Simon van Wezemael and Elizabeth Montgomery are both third-year mechanical engineering students from SU and Danie Gouws (Jnr) is a fourth-year electrical engineering student from SU. Simon and Danie graduated high school from Hermanus High and Elizabeth graduated from Curro Hermanus. 

During their time at the space agency, the students were tasked by SANSA's Applied Science and Technology Manager, Danie Gouws (Snr), to build a demonstrator for Today's First Law of electromagnetism which states: that when a changing magnetic field is close to an electrical conductor, an electrical current would be generated in the conductor." 

Using CAD design software and a 3D printer, the students completed an interactive demonstrator that generates a current and sends a small satellite into orbit around the Earth. All three students said they enjoyed their practical time at SANSA as they had all grown up with regular visits to the space agency during public tours and open days. The demonstrator will be used during SANSA's Public Tours to illustrate scientific concepts to the public. 

SANSA previously hosted Elizabeth last year along with another local, Lupho Hoyi, a Chemical Engineer from the University of Pretoria who worked on a Python code that monitors the performance of SANSA instruments. 

Acting Managing Director of SANSA, Jonathan Ward, said SANSA is proud to support the education and training of local students and young professionals. “I encourage more young people to consider a career in the science, technology, engineering and math fields.”

About SANSA

At the South African National Space Agency SANSA we believe in creating an infinite impact for the benefit of all South Africans through technological advancement and innovation. The agency was established in 2010 through the South African National Space Agency Act, 36 of 2008. SANSA aims to promote cooperation in space-related activities, foster research in space science, advance scientific engineering through human capital and support the development of an environment conducive to industrial development in space technologies. SANSA Public Tours take place on Wednesdays at 11:00 and are free of charge. Book your spot at 028 312-1196. 

Daleen Fouché.

(Communications Practitioner)

dfouche@sansa.org.za