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 internet of things connectivity applications and for mineral exploration.
Fleet is leading a team for the ASCEND2LEO project, which will use the company’s Centauri satellites, operating about 580 km from Earth. The consortium includes Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG), Fleet Space Technologies, University of South Australia, Rice Satcom Pty Ltd and SmartSat CRC.
Fleet co-founder and chief exploration officer Matt Pearson said the system would enable voice and data transmission for defence personnel on the ground.
“This is only the beginning and we envision Australian satellites supporting national security across land, air, sea and space by connecting our people, our assets and by enabling radical ideas in autonomy and emerging technologies,” said Pearson.
“We’re investing heavily in advanced manufacturing, high tech engineering talent, and have a laser focus on delivering innovative solutions at scale for our customers worldwide.”
Professor Andy Koronios, CEO of SmartSat CRC, added that the project delivered on one of the Defence Space Strategy objectives: “‘Defence may benefit from repurposing civilian technology for military means, without having to invest in R&D or venture incubation’.
“SmartSat was able to work with Fleet to develop a proposal to do just this – repurpose technology being used for world leading mineral exploration, and technology SmartSat developed to build more resilient Search and Rescue infrastructure, into a demonstration of tactical voice communications.”
Picture: credit Fleet Space Technologies
Further reading
FLEET SPACE TECHNOLOGIES USES IOT FOR SURVEYING FOR MINERALS
Topics Defence Manufacturing News
More in this section
@aumanufacturing Sections
Analysis and Commentary Awards Defence Manufacturing News Podcast Technology Videos