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, both third-year mechanical engineering students from SU, and Danie Gouws Jr, a fourth-year electrical engineering student from SU were tasked, while at the space agency, by Sansa’s Applied Science and Technology Manager, Danie Gouws, to build a demonstrator for Faraday’s First Law of Electromagnetism, which states that when a changing magnetic field is in close proximity to an electrical conductor an electrical current would be generated in the conductor.
Van Wezemaeland and Gouws are Hermanus High School alumni, while Montgomery was at Curro Hermanus.
Using computer-aided design software and a 3D printer, the students completed an interactive demonstrator that generates a current and sends a small satellite in 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 agency on public tours and open days.
The demonstrator will be used during Sansa’s public tours to illustrate scientific concepts to the public.
Sansa had previously hosted Montgomery last year along with another local, Lupho Hoyi, a chemical engineer from the University of Pretoria, who worked on a phython code that monitors the performance of Sansa instruments.
Acting Managing Director of Sansa Jonathan Ward said the agency was 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 maths fields.”
Sansa public tours take place on Wednesdays at 11:00 and are free of charge. Book your spot at 028 312 1196.
