Fleet Space to lead $6.4 million defence communications project

Nanosatellite company Fleet Space Technologies has been awarded a$6.4 million contract with Australia’s new Defence Space Command agency to develop and demonstrate a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite communications system “focused on tactical communications and data transmission where connectivity is limited.” The contract is the first in defence for Fleet, which manufactures satellites for industrial…

Australia finally has an electric vehicle strategy. How does it stack up?

By Hussein Dia, Swinburne University of Technology Australia’s first National Electric Vehicle Strategy, released on Wednesday, details the government’s long-awaited plans to accelerate the adoption of these vehicles. Consultations on the strategy began last September. The climate change and energy minister, Chris Bowen, then promised the strategy would make Australia a globally competitive market for…

PCI Pharma adds new fill-finish machine at Melbourne site

Multinational contract development and manufacturing organisation (CDMO) PCI Pharma Services has announced investments across its Melbourne and San Diego operations, with a new automated fill-finish machine at its Port Melbourne site. In a statement on Wednesday, the company said it invested in a new Microcell Vial Filler machine made by Cytiva for Melbourne. Cytiva describes…

Manufacturing news briefs — stories you might have missed

Queensland’s ARM Hub turns three years old Queensland’s Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing (ARM Hub) is celebrating its third anniversary this week with celebrations including cake and a string quartet. Assistant Minister from Manufacturing Senator Tim Ayres will highlight the government’s $15 billion National Reconstruction Fund, while Linda Dobe, a/Deputy Director in Manufacturing, Queensland state government,…