Virgin Orbit and Wagner Corp to offer new way to launch

Rocket launch systems developer Virgin Orbit has teamed up with Wagner Corporation, owner of the Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport, to offer an alternative space launch system to Australia’s satellite manufacturers. The companies have signed a MoU aiming to offer launch services from Virgin Orbit’s LauncherOne system (pictured). The are exploring the potential for using Toowoomba Wellcamp…

Orbital secures new US customer

Perth drone engine manufacturer Orbital Corporation has announced a new customer, with US defence technology company AeroVironment ordering one of the company’s newest heavy fuel engines for assessment. Orbital has been hit this year with issues with its dominant customer, Boeing subsidiary Insitu. Orbital revealed in February that Insitu had terminated its third engine program…

Lack of semiconductor manufacturing will consign Australia to “second-tier status”: report

The nation’s dearth of semiconductor manufacturing creates a strategic vulnerability and it should build up manufacturing capability in areas matched to research strengths, according to an Australian Strategic Policy Institute report published today. “Opting out of semiconductor manufacturing will severely constrain Australia’s growth as a technological nation and consign it to second-tier status,” write authors…