iLaunch space advanced manufacturing facility opens

The University of South Australia (UniSA) today opened a brand-new Advanced Manufacturing facility and revealed industry investment in four space research projects under the iLAuNCH Trailblazer programme.

The projects have attracted over $18 million in cash funding from space relented companies SMR Automotive Australia, VPG Innovation, Northrop Grumman and Spiral Blue.

The SA Deputy Premier of South Australia Susan Close officially opened the Advanced Manufacturing Metal 3D printing facility, located at Stärke-AMG group’s VPG Innovation, in Adelaide’s Camden Park.

The facility will support the industry with rapid 3D printing of metals for space structures, including machines are capable of printing Titanium and Nickel alloys that are crucial in space technologies.

The first four UniSA projects that have been announced under the iLAuNCH programme are:

• Additive Manufacture of space components using Electron Beam Melting, with industry partners: VPG Innovation, a part of Starke-AMG
• Additive Manufacture of novel materials for optical components and satellite sub-assemblies, with SMR Automotive Australia and VPG Innovation
• Development of an AI/ML-enabled space surveillance system for hypersonic missile defence with Northrop Grumman and Spiral Blue
• And development and flight qualification for an Australian Radioisotope Heating Unit (RHU), supporting a thermal management technology platform for multiple lunar night survival.

UniSA iLAuNCH lead Professor Colin Hall said: “This unique initiative represents a real opportunity for Australia to expand and develop our space engineering ecosystem.

“Through collaboration and innovation, we will demonstrate how space capable technologies can inspire the next generation of space engineers and realise a commercial outcome in this sector.”

The facility will support a world-class sovereign manufacturing capability that will create new jobs and lead to global exports within the space industry.

Additional projects in areas such as Earth observation and optical communication will be announced in coming weeks.

iLaunch is backed by $50 million from the Australian Government’s Trailblazer Universities Program and further supported by a cumulative investment of $180 million in industry research, commercialisation, and manufacturing.

Picture: University of South Australia