NewSpace Systems
Valuation
Privately held; revenue and valuation figures not publicly disclosed
Employees
~150-200 (estimated from facility scale)
Current Status
Africa's largest exporter of space-utilised hardware and one of the world's most prolific commercial guidance, navigation & control (GNC) component suppliers, with products on 2,500+ spacecraft across 38+ countries. The 5,200 sqm Somerset West facility opened Mar 2026 — Africa's largest commercial space hardware factory — features a 1,260 sqm cleanroom and was purpose-built to serve constellation operators ordering 500+ unit lots.
Future Outlook
Plans to use the Somerset West expansion to scale serial production for mega-constellation customers, complete commissioning of thermal-vacuum testing on-site, and deepen its push into RF communications subsystems while maintaining its GNC market leadership.
Key Products
Recent Milestones
First T065 reaction wheel flew in orbit; product line has since accumulated 3+ million failure-free in-orbit hours with zero reported SEUs
2014
Tanya Lerm promoted from COO to CEO; founder James Barrington-Brown moved to global chairman role
Jul 2024
Founder James Barrington-Brown named EY Entrepreneur of the Year (South Africa) winner
2024
Opened Africa's largest commercial space hardware manufacturing facility — 5,200 sqm in Somerset West with 1,260 sqm cleanroom
Mar 2026
Component portfolio expansion into RF communications alongside legacy GNC products and trusted use on spacecraft up to six tons
Mar 2026