The Albanese government has moved quickly to put innovation on the agenda. Research into new technologies – robotics, cyber, AI and quantum – will be a national priority. But where are the domestic industries that will leverage these innovations, and many more to boot? Aerospace and advanced air mobility (AAM) is a big player in…
The post A billion-dollar industry set to take off appeared first on InnovationAus.com.
The Australian government has agreed to only a handful of the 38 space industry development recommendations it received a year ago, resisting calls to provide more specific funding to the sector and review procurement policies. The report was originally handed to the previous Coalition government but only received a formal government response on Friday, with…
The post Watch this space: Sector waits on new govt policies appeared first on InnovationAus.com.
This post was originally published on InnovationAus.com.
Western Australia’s space sector has hit another milestone with the opening of the state government-funded Space Automation, AI and Robotics Control Complex. Established and operated by Dutch geological data specialist Fugro, the multi-user facility opened on Thursday to provide remote operations activities in space as well as terrestrial and subsea remote operations. The facility also…
The post WA remote space operations complex opens appeared first on InnovationAus.com.
This post was originally published on InnovationAus.com.
Sydney will host the 2025 International Aeronautical Congress, the world’s largest gathering of academics, industry, space agencies, and other stakeholders in the space sector. The successful bid was a result of a vote at the Astronautical Federation General Assembly in Paris on Thursday in which Sydney beat out rival bidders Bangkok, Beijing, Riyadh, and Istanbul….
The post Sydney to host global space conference in 2025 appeared first on InnovationAus.com.
This post was originally published on InnovationAus.com.
The US space agency NASA has completed its first commercial space launch from Australia late on Sunday, the first of three rockets planned for launch from the Arnhem Space Centre on the Gove Peninsula over the next two weeks. Equatorial Launch Australia, the developer, owner and operator of the Arnhem Space Centre announced the successful…
The post NASA successfully launches rocket from Arnhem Space Centre appeared first on InnovationAus.com.
This post was originally published on InnovationAus.com.
Construction has begun on a new deep space antenna in regional Western Australia, with the new Labor government chipping in $4 million to the project which will see $29 million going towards Australian companies. The first stone has been turned on construction on the antenna at the New Norcia deep space tracking station, located 130km…
The post Govt chips in $4m to new deep space antenna in WA appeared first on InnovationAus.com.
This post was originally published on InnovationAus.com.
Six Australian space firms have shared in just under $5.5 million as part of the latest round of the federal government’s Moon to Mars Supply Chain Capability Improvement grants. Around $5.46 million in grants were awarded through the fifth intake of the Supply Chain Improvement program, with just under $11.7 million of the $25.7 million…
The post Six space firms share in $5.5m from Moon to Mars program appeared first on InnovationAus.com.
This post was originally published on InnovationAus.com.
Multinational consulting giant Deloitte has been brought in to assist with the delivery of the federal government’s “historic” National Space Mission. The Industry department has entered into a $1.348 million contract with Deloitte, running from 25 March to 1 July 2023, for program management on the National Space Mission for Earth Observation. The $1.2 billion…
The post Deloitte to project manage flagship $1b ‘sovereign’ satellites program appeared first on InnovationAus.com.
This post was originally published on InnovationAus.com.
NASA will partner with the Australian Space Agency on earth observation following Treasurer Josh Frydenberg’s $1.2 billion funding of Australia’s National Space Mission. The Australian Space Agency and NASA signed a joint statement of intent at the Colorado Space Symposium on Wednesday. In last week’s budget the federal government set aside $1.16 billion over 15…
The post NASA partners with Australian Space Agency on earth observation appeared first on InnovationAus.com.
This post was originally published on InnovationAus.com.
Grants worth $1.2 million have been shared among three Australian space companies under round four of the Moon to Mars Supply Chain Capability Improvement program. The $150 million program started funding local space projects in March last year to enable participation in the US-led public-private Moon to Mars exploration program, of which $6.2 million has…
The post More moolah for Moon to Mars projects appeared first on InnovationAus.
This post was originally published on InnovationAus.
The Digital Transformation Agency and national privacy watchdog have both been given funding boosts, while more cash has also been injected into the federal government’s digital economy strategy as part of the Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook. Treasurer Josh Frydenberg revealed the Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook (MYEFO) update on Thursday afternoon. The Coalition has…
The post DTA and privacy watchdog get MYEFO funding boost appeared first on InnovationAus.
This post was originally published on InnovationAus.
The Australian Space Agency’s funding is “insufficient” and consideration should be given to making it a statutory authority, a government-led committee has said. The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Industry, Innovation, Science and Resources, chaired by Nationals MP Pat Conaghan, tabled its report on developing Australia’s space industry on Friday. It includes 38 bipartisan…
The post Govt-led committee calls for space agency’s ‘insufficient’ funding to be reviewed appeared first on InnovationAus.
This post was originally published on InnovationAus.
Deputy leader of the Opposition Richard Marles has called for the government to provide more support to Australia’s burgeoning space sector, but stopped short of committing Labor to a new space policy. In an address to the Southern Space Symposium in Canberra on Tuesday, Mr Marles said Australia has the skills and history to contribute…
The post Labor calls for more govt space sector support appeared first on InnovationAus.
This post was originally published on InnovationAus.
The national science agency will support up to 25 small to medium businesses working in the Australian space sector with a new program that offers training, mentorship, and access to research facilities. CSIRO on Wednesday opened applications for the new Innovate to Grow: Space program, a free 10-week online service delivered in partnership with the…
The post CSIRO offers free program to space SMEs appeared first on InnovationAus.
This post was originally published on InnovationAus.
The Bureau of Meteorology is set to open a space weather hub in Adelaide that will monitor events like solar flares, which can disrupt services like GPS for navigation as well as radio communications. Earmarked to open in 2022, the hub is backed by the Australian and South Australian governments and will see the bureau’s…
The post Bureau of Meteorology to open new space hub appeared first on InnovationAus.
This post was originally published on InnovationAus.
A planned rocket launch from South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula has been delayed for the second time in a week after a system failed to come online just before lift off on Wednesday. The launch vehicle is now being assessed and the companies involved are still considering launching at a later date. Adelaide space tech Southern…
The post South Australia rocket launch delayed again appeared first on InnovationAus.
This post was originally published on InnovationAus.
As momentum builds in Australia’s space industry, local and global space leaders say more growth will hinge on the alliances the country builds with international heavyweights and taking ownership of certain capabilities. Leaders from NASA and the New Zealand Space Agency on Wednesday endorsed the potential of Australia’s space sector and said they welcomed furthering…
The post ‘The world wants to work with Australia,’ says space agency chief appeared first on InnovationAus.
This post was originally published on InnovationAus.
A landmark rocket launch from South Australia will now take place on Wednesday, after unfavourable weather forced a postponement of the original plan last Friday. Adelaide space company Southern Launch on Tuesday confirmed it has a new launch window to send a Taiwanese rocket into sub-orbit from its Whalers Way complex on the Eyre Peninsula….
The post Southern Launch rocket flight moved to Wednesday appeared first on InnovationAus.
This post was originally published on InnovationAus.
A planned rocket launch from South Australia billed as the most important in decades for Australia’s space sector was postponed Friday because of unsafe winds. Adelaide Space tech Southern Launch had planned to send a 10 metre Taiwanese rocket into sub-orbit on Friday in a commercial deal which was also a test of both companies’…
The post Landmark Australian rocket launch postponed appeared first on InnovationAus.
This post was originally published on InnovationAus.
South Australian space company Southern Launch will send a Taiwanese rocket into sub-orbit after receiving the first local permit for commercial rocket activities from the federal government.
Taiwanese private company tiSPACE will conduct a test flight of its Hapith I – a 10m, two-stage sub-orbital rocket – from Southern Launch’s Whalers Way complex, 680km west of Adelaide.
Southern Launch received a launch site licence for the facility last month to launch up to three sub-orbital rockets, which will collect environmental impact data to assist in determining the site’s viability as permanent launch location for future sub-orbital and orbital launches.
The company is leading Australia’s space race, having received the only two launch facility licences issued by the Australian Space Agency so far. But it is facing opposition from local residents, traditional owners and conservationists about the impact of its facility, which is located in a pristine coastal environment.
A date for the tiSPACE rocket launch is yet to be set but is expected to be confirmed in the coming months. The rocket counts as one of Southern Launch’s three test launches and will collect environmental impact data.
The company completed construction of a temporary rocket pad at Whalers Way earlier this month and has released an Environmental Impact Statement for the planned permanent facility.
Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Christian Porter announced the launch permit on Monday, saying it marked an important milestone for the local industry.
“This is an important outcome in establishing Australia’s commercial launch capability and demonstrating what our country can offer to the international space sector,” Mr Porter said in a statement.
“Space is a significant global growth market that will support Australia’s economic future through big investment, new technologies and job growth across multiple industries.”
The Taiwanese company is also considering basing rocket manufacturing in Australia, according to the federal government, which is in the early phases of negotiating a treaty with the US to bring more American space technology to the country. Controversial fees charged by the government for launches have also been waived for one more year to boost the local sector.
Southern Launch chief executive Lloyd Damp said the company was looking forward to working with the international company on a local launch.
“Southern Launch is pleased to be partnering with TiSPACE to conduct the first test launch at our Whalers Way Orbital Launch Complex on the Eyre Peninsula,” Mr Damp said.
“This is an exciting development on our journey to establish the first site in Australia capable of launching commercial satellites into orbit, enabling South Australia to start capturing part of the $5.5 billion global space launch market.”
Australian Space Agency head Enrico Palermo said the local sector is serious about its role in the global space race.
“This is a significant milestone that will help pave the way for future commercial launches from Australia,” Mr Palermo said.
“We are passionate about growing a thriving space industry – one that can open doors for our national space sector to launch technologies from home and attract greater investment from international launch customers.”
The Australian Space Agency is currently looking at how it can leverage existing industries to help with space missions, and has flagged the resources sector as a potential help with autonomous technologies.
The agency last week told InnovationAus it is currently drafting several roadmaps to cover new areas of focus and has not ruled out running its own launch facility as NASA does in America.
The post Gov’t issues first commercial rocket flight permit appeared first on InnovationAus.
This post was originally published on InnovationAus.
The technology developed by Australia’s resources sector to remotely operate mines could enable Australia to become a key player in providing similar services in space, a director from the Australian Space Agency says.
In an online talk to the Australian Academy of Technology & Engineering this week, Australian Space Agency director of space capability Katherine Bennell said the agency was looking at how Australia could leverage its existing industries to help with space missions.
“Our resources sector leads the world in remotely operating facilities and autonomous systems in GPS denied environments, with difficult dust, extreme temperatures and minimal human interaction,” Ms Bennell said.
“Of note, is their remote operations capability for simultaneously managing large complex systems and multiple diverse assets at once like entire mine sites from thousands of kilometres away. And it does this with high levels of operational uptime, safety and process efficiency.”
She said the technical uniqueness of the resources sector’s way of operating was made possible by sophisticated software that ensured appropriate levels of autonomy and interoperability across all levels of the system architecture.
The same levels of reliability are required for space missions, she said, and could form part of what the agency is calling “foundation services”, which would include monitoring and inspection, planning and logistics, civil construction, materials transport, cargo handling, and remote maintenance.
“A key gap to unlock space progress is trusted autonomy, especially for robots to work collaboratively around or with each other and humans,” Bennell said.
“If we can unlock that, a whole host of new space applications become possible.”
It is the space agency’s view, she said, “that Australia could become a key provider of foundation services for exploration missions if we focus it as an activity”.
“This is ambitious, for sure, but targeted near-term opportunities in growing lunar surface markets can be explored,” she said.
At present, the agency is drafting several roadmaps it intends to release “over the coming months” that cover the space agency’s areas of focus, including positioning, navigation and timing; earth observation; communications technologies and services; space situational awareness and debris monitoring; leapfrog R&D; robotics and automation on Earth and in space; and access to space.
“The rationale for deriving them was that Australia should leverage our strengths rather than reinventing the wheel to try and catch up to some other industries that have had decades and billions of dollars and invest,” Ms Bennell said.
Asked by InnovationAus if the agency would ever run its own launch site like NASA or leave this to industry, Ms Bennell said the agency was commencing work on its access to space roadmap “shortly”, where it would be looking in-depth at this.
“This roadmap is being done last as the others inform the case for it,” she said.
Unlike other space agencies around the world that are often science focussed, Ms Bennell pointed out that the Australian Space Agency’s top-level KPIs were instead jobs and growth-related.
“What this affords us is the ability to concentrate on growing sectors with a sustainable industry to realise new space market opportunities,” she said.
Asked by an audience member about space career opportunities in Australia, she said that while it was still challenging to enter the industry locally, opportunities were growing far more than when she graduated from university in Sydney in 2007. “When I graduated, it was go overseas or basically change career. So I went overseas.”
She recommended graduates seeking work be willing to relocate within Australia and look at which companies have recently been awarded agency grants and apply for jobs with them.
The post Resources sector can help Australian space push appeared first on InnovationAus.
This post was originally published on InnovationAus.
The Australian government will negotiate a bilateral treaty with the US for protections of space technology, in a bid to attract more American investment and access to sensitive technology and data into the local market.
Controversial fees charged to local companies by the Australian Space Agency for launches will also be delayed a further year in a boost to the local sector.
The treaty, known as a Technology Safeguards Agreement (TSA), is critical for allowing the use of US space technology in foreign space programs, and the US has already signed such arrangements with the UK and New Zealand.
The Australian government on Thursday said it would commence negotiations for its own TSA with the US and also to defer the introduction of fees for launch applications another year.
The government intends to charge space companies the fees through a Commonwealth Cost Recovery Scheme, which leading local launch companies have warned will act as a deterrent to more launches and are anticompetitive compared with other nations.
Launch permits fees are currently estimated to be nearly $200,000 for a single launch and much more if the payload is returning to earth.
The implementation of the fees was delayed last year in response to COVID-19 and will now be pushed backed another year.
The two measures were announced by the federal government on Thursday, the third anniversary of the Australian Space Agency.
“In negotiating a proposed TSA with the US, the government is considering how this opportunity could further enhance space collaboration and protect the movement of sensitive technologies and goods with one of our closest allies, while retaining flexibility for our local industry to continue to grow and providing new opportunities for Australian space businesses,” Industry minister Christian Porter said in a statement.
The US already has similar agreements with several other countries, including five eyes partners the UK and New Zealand. The agreement allows US companies to operate from foreign spaceports and export space launch technology.
TSAs establish the principals under which US space technology like launch equipment, data and spacecraft, can be licenced for export by the US authorities to foreign countries for use in spaceflight activities.
The bilateral agreements can also include counter-proliferation provisions, such as the TSA signed by the UK and US last year which included a commitment not to transfer technology which could be used to launch weapons of mass destruction without proper authorisation.
The Australian TSA will set out the principles on which US and Australian companies can collaborate on local launch projects with sensitive US technology and data being protected, the government said, but it did not provide specific details on the agreement or when negotiations would formally commence.
Australian Space Agency head Enrico Palermo said the two measures would help grow the local sector.
“The US and Australia have a long-standing, close and strong collaboration in space exploration. These negotiations open up new opportunities for our nations to work together and continue to grow the Australian space industry through cooperation in space,” Mr Palermo said.
“Deferring fees for another 12 months will also provide opportunities to grow the sector, particularly our domestic launch capability.”
The Australian Space Agency was established in 2018 under the Turnbull government. It is headquartered in the Adelaide innovation precinct Lot Fourteen. According to the government, it has so far been allocated more than $700 million in funding.
“We have an opportunity to enhance national, sovereign space capability through increasing collaboration to optimise and deliver investment with precision,” Mr Palermo wrote in reflecting on the agency’s third anniversary.
“We can do this through space missions that address some of Australia’s greatest challenges, and through reducing barriers to enable companies to scale their activities accessing both domestic and international markets. Working with organisations across the Australian Government, we will unlock opportunities to the full space value chain.”
The post Australia-US in talks on space technology treaty appeared first on InnovationAus.
This post was originally published on InnovationAus.
The Australian Space Agency is set to go on a recruiting drive in order to better meet the demands of the burgeoning local sector, amid concerns over its resourcing and the fact that no launch permits have been issued yet.
Space agency chief Enrico Palermo recently appeared for the first time since he took over the top job from Dr Megan Clark in late March. He faced of questions from senators on whether the agency was doing enough to ensure local companies were able to access launch permits, and if the government offered enough support.
“I am focused on really thoughtfully thinking about how we take the agency forward into the future – the decisions about the agency and its programs that we make now will have a dramatic effect over the next 10 to 15 decades of this,” Mr Palermo said.
Gilmour Space Technologies chief executive Adam Gilmour – a pioneer of the local sector – recently told InnovationAus that the government was “behind the eight ball” on space, and this is damaging the ability of companies like his to compete with their international rivals.
The Space agency is yet to grant any launch permits to Australian companies, despite receiving one application in 2019 and seven during 2020.
Crossbench senator Rex Patrick questioned whether the agency has its priorities in order.
“You’re clearly looking at promotion and international engagement. In circumstances where industry is steps ahead of you guys, is it not appropriate at this point in time to focus more resources to support that industry and then come back to some of the other activities that are important?” Senator Patrick said.
“I’ve spoken to launch companies in Queensland who again say, ‘we’ve got the work, but we’re going to lose it because we don’t have the ability to launch here in Australia because of the regulatory brakes’.”
In response, Mr Palermo said the space agency would soon be recruiting to meet the demands of the growing industry.
“We need to take a balanced view of how we allocate funds. Our recruitment round is focused on supporting the launch industry. That’s an indicator that we are investing more,” he said.
Senator Patrick urged the agency to set a deadline for when the first permit will be approved.
“If you don’t have any aim point at all, there’s no ability to track or inquire about performance. You, coming from industry, will know that you always set aim points everywhere, and you try and hit them,” he said.
“You don’t always get there, but if you don’t have the aim point, then actually people don’t proceed to that point as quickly and as diligently as they can. It’s a serious question because industry is sitting there.”
Mr Palermo said he hoped to have a permit issued before the next Senate Estimates hearing in mid-May.
Labor senators raised two primary concerns with the space agency: the level of funding provided by the government, and similar concerns around the launch permits.
Labor Senator Murray Watt questioned whether the $140 million over four years allocated to the space sector under the federal government’s Modern Manufacturing Initiative is adequate.
“Obviously, in Australian terms, it’s an industry maybe not in its infancy but emerging, and we’ve got big international players out there: the US, China, Russia and many other countries who’ve made massive investments over a very long period of time,” Senator Watt said.
“Do we really think that a $140 million investment over four years is going to be enough to see Australia compete?”
Last week Gilmour Space Technologies inked a deal with Fleet Space Technologies to launch six nanosatellites into orbit in 2023. It’s a significant boost for Australia’s sovereign capability in the sector, but has had little support from the federal government, Mr Gilmour said.
“It just makes it harder to get the job done. I’m in the middle of raising my Series C and I’m going to successfully raise a decent amount of money, but at a valuation significantly under my competitors around the world, and the main reason why is because I don’t yet have any kind of deal from the Space Agency or any contract from the Air Force,” Mr Gilmour told InnovationAus.
“And if I look at my competitors that are at the same level as I am around the world, they’ve all got contracts already. That means they can get a much higher valuation and raise a lot more money. We’re continually behind the eight ball in Australia.”
The post Space agency plays industry catch up in hiring appeared first on InnovationAus.
This post was originally published on InnovationAus.
The federal government is “behind the eight ball” on the fast-growing space sector, with homegrown companies teaming up to build sovereign capability in the absence of Commonwealth funding support.
Two of Australia’s largest and most successful space companies, rocket manufacturer and launch company Gilmour Space Technologies and nanosatellites maker Fleet Space Technologies, have partnered to launch six nanosatellites into space in 2023.
The deal is another major boost in improving Australia’s sovereign capability in space, with the launch to be from an Australian site, with an Australian-built rocket carrying Australian-built satellites.
But despite the private success, government support for the sector lagging.
“It’s a great demonstration of two of the leading space pioneers that are VC-backed working together, and that we see value in working with each other,” Gilmour Space Technologies chief executive Adam Gilmour told InnovationAus.
“It’s a pristine example of sovereign capability in the absence of government intervention. These are two companies that have raised venture capital, have been financed through venture capital, working together on space capability in Australia.”
While the local space sector is growing at a rapid pace, the government is lagging behind and not offering the support that is needed, Mr Gilmour said.
Mr Gilmour, who is on the space taskforce for the federal Modern Manufacturing Initiative, said his company has not received a dollar from the Australian Space Agency, and is yet to sign any deals with the Defence Department.
This had put his company at a disadvantage compared to its global competitors, he said.
“The industry is moving faster than even the government thinks. It just makes it harder to get the job done,” Mr Gilmour said.
“I’m in the middle of raising my Series C and I’m going to successfully raise a decent amount of money, but at a valuation significantly under my competitors around the world, and the main reason why is because I don’t yet have any kind of deal from the Space Agency or any contract from the Air Force.
“And if I look at my competitors that are at the same level as I am around the world, they’ve all got contracts already. That means they can get a much higher valuation and raise a lot more money. We’re continually behind the eight ball in Australia.”
This government backing is the “last missing piece” of the Australian space puzzle, Mr Gilmour said.
“It’s fantastic the Modern Manufacturing Initiative has space as one of the six priority sectors – that is a positive sign the government is realising this, but it’s beyond the Department of Industry,” he said.
“The Space Agency and Defence department have to step up and start putting more money on the plate for contracts.
“What’s going to happen if they don’t do that soon is we’re just going to do it anyway. It’s just making it that much harder.”
Fleet Space Technologies chief executive Flavia Tata Nardini said the new partnership is an important step in the push for sovereign capability in space and satellites.
“Today’s announcement is the beginning of an ongoing launch service relationship as we work towards our planned constellation of 140 satellites. We are building a strong portfolio of launch service partners, and we are very excited to have Gilmour Space as one of them,” Ms Tata Nardini said.
“As a country we are highly reliant on space technologies from other nations and it’s time to realise that we can have critical sovereign capabilities in satellite development and launch here in Australia.”
Late last year Gilmour Space Technologies signed on its first local customer for its Eris rocket, to be launched next year. This will see the company deliver a 35kg spacecraft into orbit, the largest payload by an Australian company, and the first time a local payload will be launched from an Australian rocket from Australia.
The Fleet satellites will be launched on the third flight of Gilmour’s Eris rocket in 2023.
Earlier this year, Gilmour also announced that it had partnered with Space Machines Company and Fireball.International to send orbital transport Optimus-1 into space in March next year, launching a bushfire detection satellite into orbit.
The post Govt has fallen behind on space sector boom appeared first on InnovationAus.
This post was originally published on InnovationAus.
Two NSW space technology companies have shared $1.1 million in federal funding as part of the first round of the government Moon to Mars Supply Chain Capability Improvement initiative.
The $150 million program announced in August last year aimed to help local SMEs become part the US government’s public-private Moon to Mars space exploration program. The first grants were announced today by Industry Minister Karen Andrews on Wednesday.
“These grants are about expanding and supporting our domestic capabilities in the space sector, while helping Australian companies be part of NASA’s grand ambition to establish a sustainable presence on the Moon to prepare for missions to Mars,” Ms Andrews said in a statement.
“Today’s funding announcement showcases two Aussie companies leading the way in space infrastructure and on-board spacecraft navigation.”
Spiral Blue received $416,2050 to develop its satellite data processing software while partners Advanced Navigation and Q-CTRL received a grant of $690,892 to develop a “world-first inertial navigation system”.
“These grants will help boost investment in the manufacturing sector, build Australia’s reputation as a manufacturer of choice, create new skilled Australian jobs and grow our economy,” said Ms Andrews.
Spiral Blue’s software is used with earth observation satellites to enable data processing on-board the satellite rather than the typical approach of processing the information back on earth.
Advanced Navigation and Q-CTRL is a joint initiative between the respective AI-based navigation hardware firm and the Quantum startup. The two companies have partnered to develop Inertial navigation, considered a critical capability a variety of space missions, where external navigational beacons such as GPS or even landmarks are not available.
Australian Space Agency head Enrico Palermo welcomed the first round of grants.
“The two successful projects showcase the talent and ingenuity in Australia’s space sector and increase the involvement and value add of local technology in national and international space supply chains,” Mr Palermo said.
“Congratulations to Space Edge and Advanced Navigation and Q-CTRL for leading projects that will contribute to the development of national capability and help to build a high-tech workforce that can make a significant contribution to the national economy, while positioning Australia as a key player in the global space community.”
The Moon to Mars Supply Chain Capability Improvement program offers grants between $250,000 and $1 million. Applications are open until June 30, 2023.
The post First space techs awarded ‘Moon to Mars’ grants appeared first on InnovationAus.
This post was originally published on InnovationAus.
Three Australian space companies will unite to launch a bushfire detection satellite into orbit in a major milestone for building sovereignty capability in the local space sector.
In-space transportation provider Space Machines Company has signed a deal with Fireball.International to launch a bushfire detection satellite into final orbit next year. The South Australian startup last year announced a launch agreement with Gilmour Space Technologies to send its orbital transport Optimus-1 into space in 2021.
This rocket will now carry the fire detection satellite, which will provide automated bushfire detection and tracking.
Fireball.International can detect a bushfire within minutes by analysing images from satellites and sensors in real-time, and sends notifications and maps to emergency responders when it does detect a fire.
A report by the Australian National University last year found that the detection of bushfires within 30 minutes could lead to a total benefit of $8.2 billion.
The announcement is a significant development for the local space sector and a demonstration of what’s possible for Australian companies, Fireball.International chief executive Christopher Tylor said.
“This is an Australian-built taxi, which will bring an Australian-built satellite which looks for fires and has national interest, which is launched by an Australian-built rocket and from an Australian spaceport in Queensland. This story is amazing,” Mr Tylor told InnovationAus.
The federal government has been urged to pursue greater sovereign capability in space, and this is a key aim of the Australian Space Agency.
The launch next year will showcase the potential of the local sector, Space Machines Company chief executive Rajat Kulshrestha said.
“It’s a pretty big milestone. The ability for us to have a satellite which addresses a key national interest issue, going on top of a space transportation platform, on top of an Australian-built and launched rocket shows our space industry to a global market,” Mr Kulshrestha told InnovationAus.
“Success will mean that some of the targets the government has for growing this industry are well on their way. All this capability will eventually help support Australian companies for years to come.”
In September last year Space Machines Company inked the deal with Gilmour to become a customer on its first Eris rocket launch next year, with the startup to launch a 35kg spacecraft to orbit. This will be the largest payload sent into orbit by an Australian company to date.
Having local launch companies and space taxis allows for the specific deployment and positioning of satellites at a cheaper price, Mr Tylor said.
“With this technology we can be delivered into orbit where we want to be, and where we need to be. The problem with launching something there is it is very expensive,” he said.
“With the technology Space Machines Company can offer us, the price of launching a satellite comes down. That is a big advantage”
Fireball.International currently relies on Japanese satellites launched by the Japan Space Agency to monitor bushfires in Australia.
The ability to launch satellites locally will be pivotal for the development of the Australian space sector, Mr Kulshrestha said.
“The ability for Australia to have responsiveness to put satellites into exactly the right place and especially satellite capabilities of national interest, is a key part of the sovereign capability we need to develop,” he said.
A government inquiry into the development of the space sector has heard concerns that the federal government’s plans to charge companies to apply for a launch permit will jeopardise the growth of the sector, which is hoping to launch up to 2500 satellites in the next five years.
Late last year independent senator Rex Patrick said the space sector is at risk of “shutting down before it starts”, with no launch permits issued yet.
But Mr Tylor said the agency is still young, and the local industry needs to work with it to overcome initial issues.
“What the Australian Space Agency here has achieved in this short period of time is amazing. It’s young and we have to work with them and they are very open and helpful if you approach them,” he said.
“Support is needed to help the companies there to develop and produce products which are competing in an international market. Our fire satellites are an example of that. It may only cover Australia for now but when we have a full constellation we will cover the whole planet.”
Mr Kulshrestha said the company has been working directly with the space agency to iron out issues in applying for permits.
“There are a lot of problems to solve. Our approach has been to collaboratively work together with government and the agency to get the outcomes that Australia needs,” he said.
The post Aussie space startups to launch bushfire satellite appeared first on InnovationAus.
This post was originally published on InnovationAus.
Australia has the potential to become a leading location in the region for space launch services, but the federal government’s plan to charge companies to apply for permits puts this in jeopardy, a number of space companies have warned.
A coalition of the nation’s emerging space launch companies – the so-called ‘Launch Leaders’ – said that Australia has huge potential and could see up to 2500 satellites launched in the next five years in a submission to a standing committee inquiry into the local space sector.
“Our nation has the opportunity to be a primary location in Asia for launch services and to be a preferred provider for launch activities within the global space market,” Equatorial Launch Australia, Gilmour Space Technologies and Southern Launch said in the submission.
“In undertaking successful space launches, the launch leaders will inspire the Australian population, including the next generation of space experts, and will create new jobs in the high-tech Australian space industry sector. This is ever more important for the nation following the testing times brought about by the global COVID-19 pandemic.”
But the government’s plan to introduce a Commonwealth Cost Recovery Scheme for space launches and return, which will see companies charged for making “complex” applications.
The scheme was delayed for 12 months due to COVID-19 and is now set to come into effect from July this year.
This plan could jeopardise Australia’s goal of growing the local space sector and damage its ability to improve sovereign capability in space tech. The group of leading Australian launch companies called on government to scrap the plan.
“The Commonwealth cost recovery scheme is imposing uncompetitive costs on launch vehicle operators and Australian launch facility providers where, in the case of operators of small launch vehicles, the fees are as much as three times the value of the rocket development and mission costs,” the groups said.
“Our customers express grave concerns about the implementation of this scheme. This potential cost on industry severely limits Australia’s ability to gain investment from the global launch market. This scheme is grossly disproportionate to other like-minded commercial space-faring nations.”
In its separate submission, Southern Launch said that the government could charge nearly $190,000 per launch permit application, which is three times the value of the rocket development and mission costs, and 30 times higher than other jurisdictions.
Southern Launch’s customers have expressed “grave concern” with these fees.
“Potential customers and investors are informing us that, notwithstanding the technical advantages from launching from Australia, it may be less preferable to launch in Australia over the long term due to the existence of this cost recovery scheme,” the Southern Launch submission said.
“To add a large fee for a launch permit or facility, something not applied anywhere else in the world, makes it even harder for Australia to grow its embryonic space industry to be globally competitive.
“As the scheme does not demonstrate how its implementation enhances safety of a launch activity, it unnecessarily impedes Australia’s launch services industry to be competitive in the global launch market. No fees should be applied to the assessment of launch permit or facility applications.”
A number of state and territory governments also raised significant concerns with these costs.
In its submission to the inquiry, the Queensland government said that the high costs are “dissuasive to investment and growth in Australia’s space industry”.
“Industry has raised concerns about the user-pays and cost recovery models being placed on the emerging space industry,” the Queensland government submission said.
“These cost-recovery models may have negative impacts on jobs and economic growth in a startup industry which already faces high competition and legacy investment overseas,” it said.
The Northern Territory government said it “unequivocally opposed” the cost recovery model, which it said it “incompatible” with the government’s commitment to drive growth in the sector.
In its submission, the Australian Space Agency said there had been 16 applications for launches and returns since 2018, with none approved yet.
“The agency is working with applicants to support them to complete their applications, however the onus remains on the applicant to provide the information required under the act,” the agency said.
“The agency has recently undertaken to hold a roundtable with companies considering launch activities to identify areas where guidance would benefit the stakeholder group,” it said.
The post Space agency puts launch potential at serious risk appeared first on InnovationAus.
This post was originally published on InnovationAus.
Queensland-based space company Black Sky Aerospace has successfully launched its first rocket powered by Australian-made solid-state fuel.
Black Sky developed an original process for the manufacturer of solid rocket fuel with the assistance of a modest grant from the government’s Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre (AMGC), and successfully used it to launch in outback Queensland in January.
Until this launch, solid rocket fuels for the global markets are manufactured primarily in North America, India and China, and the difficulties in importing this fuel has been an impediment to the more rapid development of an Australian launch industry.
The availability of an Australian-made solid-state fuel is a potential export opportunity, but more importantly will drive the development of the local space sector, according to Black Sky chief executive Blake Nikolic.
“Now that we have been able to manufacture locally it is going to open up opportunities for export, and obviously with the growing space industry, it is vital that we have these capabilities made right here in Australia,” Mr Nikolic said. “And this particular rocket fuel is going to drive a lot of that technology.”
“Unlike liquid fuels, solid fuels are also easier and safer to transport, store and to use; making it a real advantage for both Australian companies, and for the potential export market,” he said.
Industry minister Karen Andrews said the January Black Sky launch was another important marker in the development of a strong domestic space industry.
“This is a first for us here in Australia and quite frankly demonstrates how significant the space sector is [in this country],” Minister Andrews said.
“What we have done here is to potentially open up that market for Australian-made solid-state rocket fuel. This gives us a very strong entry point as to how we build further space capability here,” she said.
“With Australia now able to make our own solid-state rocket fuel, we’re building robust supply chains for the Australian space sector, as well as other connected industries like defence.”
Mrs Andrews said that the newly appointed head of the Australian Space Agency Enrico Palermo – who started work last week – had been specifically tasked with growing the nation’s launch capability and capacity.
The post Made in Aust: Black Sky’s solid rocket fuel appeared first on InnovationAus.
This post was originally published on InnovationAus.