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Fleet Space to progress its nanosatellite wide area network

Manufacturing News




IIot nanosatellite communications services provider Fleet Space Technologies will improve the capabilities of its hybrid satellite low-powered wide area network (LPWAN) following the award of a Mars Supply Chain Capability Improvement grant.

Part of the Australian Space Agency’s $150 million Moon to Mars initiative, the grant will boost collaboration to miniaturise and ruggedise sensors in the network.

CEO Flavia Tata Nardini took to social media to say she was thrilled by the award, which would help the company
to grow its contribution to Australia’s ‘thriving space sector’.

She said: “This will allow us to progress our deployments with partners SA Power Networks and OZ Minerals to improve their ability to monitor remote critical infrastructure and environmental factors.”

The $386,770 grant will enable the partners to pursue commercial supply chain opportunities, demonstrating a terrestrial application of space technology that can be extended to Moon and Mars activities.

Tata Nardini said: “Our team can expedite and improve our manufacturing processes on devices specifically designed for our partners, that will ultimately end up on the Moon and Mars.

“(We will be) making them smaller with the ability to function when exposed to extreme temperatures they would experience once deployed in space.”

Fleet Space has five nanosatellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO), with a sixth to be launched shortly.

The Australian Space Agency announced electronic component manufacturer, Crystalaid Manufacture as a second grant recipient.

Crystalaid has been moving from its foundation of electronics to combat hearing loss to aerospace and avionics expansion, including for unmanned aerial vehicles.

Industry minister Christian Porter said the grants would support the two local businesses to tap into national and international space supply chains.

“We are helping Australian companies be part of NASA’s plan to return to the Moon and prepare for missions to Mars, at the same time as strengthening our own space manufacturing base.”

Picture: Fleet Space Technologies

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