ROCKETRY SA / SAASA

ROCKETRY SA is a privately-funded, membership-based Organization / Association, promoting Rocketry in South Africa
 

Rocketry SA represents members from across South Africa and actively promotes Hobby Rocketry, Model Rocketry, Sport Rocketry, Experimental and Amateur Rocketry, and also has a significant International Membership component.

The Development of Membership Benefits, the Review and Allignment of Policies and Procedures with International Best-practices, the design of a world-class knowledge sharing platform (E-Learning plarform), and the effort with the legal importation, storage, transport and commercial sale of Certified rocket Motors in South Africa is what ultimately differentiates Rocketry SA.

The use of the name Rocketry SA  as an alternative to SA Amateur Space Administration (SAASA) came about since 2010, as to avoid confusion with the South African Animal Sanctuary Alliance (SAASA), the South Africa Astronomical Society (SAAS) and/or the South African Space Association (SASA).

SAASA has a significant International membership component, and welcomes rocketeers from all countries
(International memberships do not have voting rights, and are not verified, but all accounts are monitored to curtail spammers)
 

SAASA - yet another Rocketry Association?

With no less than 3 groups claiming to represent rocketry in SA at any given time, SAASA may at first seem to be yet another association, but on closer inspection of the activities (from an organizational and legal perspective), member constituency, and the overall commitment towards the promotion of rocketry.. it soon becomes evident why SAASA has become the prefered and largest Rocketry organization in South Africa.

This is not to say that other rocketry Associations do not play a positive role- infact the opposite is quite true-
without these groups, rocketry in SA would pretty much have been non existant!

While SAASA's original focus was limited to High Power Rocketry, it soon became apparant that there was a need for a Umbrella Rocketry Organization - an organization that would ultimately accommodate and promote rocketry to all South African's an not only a select, priveledged few.

After numerous failed attempts between 1998 - 2009 at getting support from the government, it was concluded that rocketry will not be taken seriously untill "we" were able to unite rocketeers across all levels in true South African Spirit.

While some individuals may consider our approach to be less than perfect, we believe that Growth and Unity starts with the willingness to co-operate and communicate.

Thus SAASA embarked on a mission to unite rocketeers by restructuring the Association into a non-profit, self-sustainable, member-driven organization. Other key challenges included the development, review and allignment of Policies and Procedures with International Best-practices, the design of a world-class knowledge sharing platform (E-Learning plarform), and a renewed focuss on the legal importation, storage, transport and commercial sale of Certified rocket Motors in South Africa.

While some minor groups resist the idea of a all-inclusive rocketry organization , SAASA continues to unite rocketeers, and welcomes all interest.

SAASA acknowledges the work of Special Interest Groups, Associations and Clubs , and encourages these affiliates to retain their own Identity, Goals and Objectives while offerring the benefit of pooled resources and combined intelligence. The benefits to this approach, far outweighs the drawbacks. 

 

Points of Difference:

  • Accommodate all Rocketry Groups, Clubs, Association and Individuals
  • All Groups, Clubs and Associations can retain own identity
  • Rules and Regulations are driven by members, with input from all stakeholders
  • Promote all areas of Rocketry
  • Develop and make available premium Content via an E-Learning Platform
  • Promote rocketry to Rocketeers, Educators and the Public at large
  • Actively working with the authorities to keep rocketry Safe and Accessable
  • Continued development and promoion of a Rocketry Body of Knowledge
  • Choice of Membership Levels to cater for levels of Interest

 

 

 

SAASA Promotes Rocketry as being Safe, Reliable, Accountable & Fun, while also having elements that can be Challenging, Educational and Competitive!

SAASA provides Guidance, Procedures and Administration for the Legal & Safe Participation in Rocketry activities within South Africa


With a track record spanning more than 10 years, SAASA has a large and established membership component in South Africa.

SAASA currently exists as a member-based Organization with the following mandate:

  • Promote Rocketry in South Africa

  • Promote, Advocate and self-regulate all aspects of Safety as it pertains to all facets of Rocketry

  • Promotion of "Rocketry Body of Knowledge" and further scientific studies

  • Development and promotion of a "Free" Educational framework

  • Promote Rocketry within the constraints of formal Laws, Regulations and pertinent legal issues

  • Consolidate the use of all forms of non-commercial rocketry in South Africa

  • Foster and Promote cooperation and cross-certification with International Rocketry organizations

  • Provide 3d party Indemnity Insurance for SAASA members

 

The relationship with the SA Government Space Agency?

SANSA:   THE OFFICIAL SOUTH AFRICAN (GOVERNMENT) SPACE AGENCY

  • SANSA is responsible for coordinating National Space Activities in terms of the National Innovation
    Plan, National Space Strategy, SA Earth Observation Strategy, the NGP and the NDP
  • SANSA was created to promote the use of space  and cooperation in space-related activities while fostering research in space science, advancing scientific engineering through developing of our human capital and provide support to industrial development in space technologies.
  • SAASA co-exists under the government mandated South African National Space Agency (SANSA), which is part of the Department of Science and Technology, reporting to the Minister of Science and Technology.