World-first non-Earth imaging camera “manufactured entirely in Australia” gets launched

The Holmes Imager, a telescopic camera made by HEO Robotics for collecting data from satellites in orbit, has been launched aboard a SpaceX rocket. In a statement on Tuesday morning, the Sydney-based company said Holmes was “the world’s first commercial camera dedicated to non-Earth imaging” and made entirely within Australia.  HEO praised its collaborative partners…

CSIRO releases new food system report

CSIRO has released Reshaping Australia’s Food System, which it describes as a new roadmap for “a more sustainable, productive, and resilient future for [Australia’s] food, environment, and people.” It defines food systems as “the entire food pipeline from production to consumption and waste management” plus the societal, cultural and governance systems related to these. The…

Picking winners – yes we do this now in Australia, thankfully

By Peter Roberts I have just been reminded by a former colleague of the bad old days when policy, any policy, favouring manufacturing was seen as protectionism and picking winners. Those times lasted for decades, with the Productivity Commission and the Coalition weaponising the words against manufacturers. My former colleague asked: what government policy is…

Biodegradable bags to revolutionise mushroom farming

University of Queensland researchers are working with industry to develop biodegradable ‘plastic’ bags for use in mushroom farming, which could open lucrative opportunities in packaging and manufacturing. Dr Nasim Amiralian from UQ’s Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (pictured) is collaborating with Queensland producer Scenic Rim Mushrooms to reduce the company’s reliance on plastic ‘grow…

BlueBottle Uncrewed Surface Vessel fleet now complete

The Royal Australian Navy has received its fifth and final BlueBottle Uncrewed Surface Vessel (pictured) powered only by the wind, sun and wave action. Manufactured by Ocius Technologies, the BlueBottle can cover long distances, undertake a variety of missions, and stay at sea for extended periods. BlueBottle vessel BEACON recently spent two travelling to and…