Manufacturing news briefs – stories you might have missed

UNSW Canberra Space successfully tests cubesats UNSW Canberra space researchers have successfully completed thermal vacuum testing at ANU’s AITC test facilities of a pair of 6U cubesats (pictured) for its M2 mission being launched by Rocket Lab early next year. The spacecraft include capabilities in Earth observations (optical and RF), on-board processing, formation flying and…

Thales and Ocius develop Blue Sentry autonomous marine system

Thales Australia has received $3.8 million from the Defence Innovation Hub to develop its Australian engineered and built Blue Sentry autonomous marine system. Part of $28 million in defence hub grants, Blue Sentry is a group of unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) equipped for anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and surveillance missions. The system incorporates a Thales Remote…

Orica and Epiroc automate underground mine blasting

Australian explosives group Orica and Swedish equipment supplier Epiroc have combined to develop the world’s first semi-automated explosives delivery system for underground mining. Their new Avatel system (main picture and below) will remove people from the blasting face – the most dangerous place underground – providing a safer, more efficient and productive blasting environment when…

Manufacturing for green hydrogen’s Soft Grid – by Stan Thompson

A green hydrogen economy looks more likely to develop every day. Here Stan Thompson, Co-founder of the Mooresville Hydrail Initiative, compares the advent of hydrogen to that of electricity, and asks who will manufacture all the components, tools, test gear, safety apparatus and as yet unanticipated ancillary hardware needed for the new soft grid? While…