Space Machines Company, which is developing vehicles for in-space servicing of satellites, has announced former Head of Engineering at Nanosonics Shane Albances as its new engineering lead. Albances (pictured) is leading the team at SMC preparing for the MAITRI mission, scheduled for 2026, which will feature the planned launch of Space Machines Company’s second Optimus…
In-space servicing firm Space Machines Company has forged strategic partnerships with two Indian space businesses, aerospace and defence manufacturer Ananth Technologies and space infrastructure company Digantara. The partnerships will play a pivotal role in the upcoming Space MAITRI (Mission for Australia-India’s Technology, Research and Innovation) mission and the launch of Space Machines Company’s second Optimus…
Satellite manufacturer Space Machines Company has signed an agreement with an Indian government-owned company NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), which sets the stage for a second spacecraft launch two years from now. In a statement on Thursday, Space Machines Company said the agreement with NSIL – which is the commercial arm of the Indian Space Research…
Satellite manufacturer Space Machines Company has announced a joint Indian-Australian mission on space debris management, supported by an $8.5 million grant from the Australian government. SMC, which bills itself an “in-space servicing firm”, announced “Space MAITRI” (मैत्री, or Mission for Australia-India’s Technology, Research and Innovation) on Tuesday, saying the joint industry-led mission will “demonstrate progress…
Satellite manufacturer Space Machines Company has announced the successful launch this morning of Optimus, Australia’s largest-ever private satellite and the company’s first Orbital Servicing Vehicle (OSV). The foundation of the company’s future in-orbit satellite servicing opereations was launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket during the Transporter-10 mission. Following…
Sydney-based istartup Space Machines Company has announced a partnership with refuelling company Orbit Fab — which the pair says combines their expertise “to advance in-space servicing” — with a planned launch aboard a SpaceX rocket next year. SMC has a stated goal of eventually offering “roadside assistance in space” for on-orbit infrastructure. In a statement…
Space “roadside assistance” startup Space Machines Company (SMC) and engineering firm Siemens have shared details of SMC’s use of Siemens Xcelerator software portfolio to create an Orbital Servicing Vehicle (OSV), described as “one of the largest commercial spacecrafts” made in Australia. Last month SMC announced assembly and integration of all hardware for the 270 kilogram…
Space logistics business Space Machines Company has announced a purchase of Inovor Technologies’ navigation system, Star Tracker, which will be integrated into SMC’s orbital servicing vehicle, Optimus. Star Tracker “will play a pivotal role in enhancing the navigation capabilities of Optimus” according to SMC, which plans to provide transportation and other in-space services following its…
The assembly and integration of all hardware on the largest spacecraft ever manufactured in Australia has been completed at the Space Machines Company headquarters in Botany, NSW. SMC’s Optimus OTV is destined for a 2023 mission that will demonstrate the 270 kg Optimus OTV’s ability to deliver in-space logistics services and will deploy solutions for…
Australian in-space transportation provider, Space Machines Company (SMC) has revealed the payloads to be launched into space by SpaceX aboard the Optimus OSV spacecraft bus (pictured). SMC’s Optimus OTV, one of the largest commercial spacecraft designed and manufactured in Australia, is almost complete, according to the company. Space Machines took to social media and said:…
