Manufacturing news briefs — stories you might have missed

Astroscale, HEO partner on space monitoring

This week Japanese satellite servicing company Astroscale Holdings and Sydney-based non-Earth imaging specialist HEO announced a three-year memorandum of understanding. According to a statement from Astroscale on Tuesday, the agreement deepens an existing partnership on monitoring, assessing and ultimately servicing allied defence, government and commercial assets. The pair will be “building the tools to track, manage and service spacecraft in orbit, enhancing the resilience of satellites that underpin daily life on Earth” and their collaboration will extend from low-Earth orbit into geostationary and geostationary transfer orbits, “where many defen[c]e and government satellites operate.” Hiranya Jayakody, Co-Founder & CTO of HEO, said “we're excited to continue strengthening our partnership as we extend into new orbital regimes to support allied operations with frequent satellite monitoring and risk management capabilities.”

ANFF-SA gets new Facility Manager

Mark Cherrill has been appointed Facility Manager, ANFF-SA. Cherill has been with Australian National Fabrication Facility, a network of 21 sites, since 2015. According to a statement from ANFF this week, he was a CNC machinist and programmer with the Honda Racing Team, Brawn GP and Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula 1 teams before moving to Australia and establishing himself as a microfabrication engineer with a specialty in the design and manufacture of microfluidic devices. ANFF-SA is described as one of the nation’s “leading micro- and nanofabrication hubs, home to advanced tools for precision engineering, micromachining and microfluidics. The node supports both researchers and industry partners, helping to turn bold ideas into real-world solutions.” It is co-located at University of South Australia and Flinders University.

Australia and Japan team up to fast-track laser satellite communications

A new partnership between the University of South Australia (UniSA), Adelaide space start-up RapidBeam, and Japanese space technology company Warpspace could accelerate the future of space communications, according to a statement from the university this week. The three have signed an agreement to develop next-generation laser communication systems, promising “faster, more secure, and more reliable data transfer than today’s radio-based technologies”, and which — unlike traditional radio waves — can send vast amounts of information across space with minimal delay. Warpspace’s optical modem HOCSAI will be tested and integrated into the Australasian Optical Ground Station Network – a laser communications network led by UniSA and spanning Australia and New Zealand. RapidBeam founder Adi Rajendran, said that, “laser satellite communications will be the backbone of secure, high-capacity networks… “Warpspace’s modem is a major step forward, directly supporting our plans for a constellation that can keep people connected on Earth and ultimately pave the way for interplanetary communications.”

Board changes at Bluescope

Chair of steelmaker BlueScope, Jane McAloon, announced two further changes to the BlueScope Board on Thursday. Non-executive director, Peter Alexander, is retiring, and John Nowlan is standing for election as a non-independent non executive director. “Since his appointment to the Board in September 2022, Peter has brought thoughtful perspectives and deep industry knowledge, especially in relation to North American building and construction markets. We are grateful for his valuable contributions,” McAloon said. Nowlan will stand for election as a Non-executive Director at the AGM, following his recent retirement from his executive position after a near 50-year career at BlueScope. “I’m excited by the opportunity and privilege of joining the Board of BlueScope,” Nowlan said. “I’m a passionate supporter of BlueScope and look forward to working with the Board to support the company’s ambitious growth path.”

House-building robot on show at IAC

Two Australian companies, Crest Robotics and Earthbuilt Technology, are showcasing a spider-like machine for construction at the 76th International Astronautical Congress (IAC) 2025 in Sydney. According to a statement on Thursday, Charlotte is “a world-first robot designed to advance lunar exploration and provide low-cost, low-carbon housing capabilities on Earth” and has been the supported by the NSW Space+ Program, delivered by SmartSat CRC and funded by the NSW Government. The machine is hoped to progress towards building shelters on the Moon. Dr Clyde Webster, Founding Director of Crest, said Charlotte “is designed to take the heavy lifting out of building construction, both here and on the Moon, where the technology is being considered for its high sustainability and suitability for the lunar environment.” Charlotte can be combined with the Earthbuilt extrusion and compaction capabilities to “be a fully autonomous, sustainable building solution that can assemble a standard 200m² Australian home in a day with zero carbon output” and use natural and readily available materials from the site.

Woolworths rolls out Amcor bread bags with 30 per cent recycled plastic

This week Woolworths said that it expects to save approximately 50,000 kilograms of virgin plastic each year through a change to its Own Brand sliced bread bags, which are now made from 30 per cent recycled plastic. The LDPE, food-grade bags are made by packaging company Amcor and in use across six bread products. The recycled plastics have added to the tens of thousands of tonnes of virgin plastic Woolworths has removed from its supply chain, it said. Woolworths Head of Packaging sustainability, Bryan McKay, said, “Working with Amcor and incorporating recycled content into our bread bags is another significant step towards our goal of reducing virgin plastic and championing a more circular economy.”

Premcar wins top prize at SAE-A Mobility Excellence Awards

Australian new-car engineering and manufacturing firm Premcar has won the top accolade at this year’s SAE-A Mobility Technology Excellence Awards. The Society of Automotive Engineers – Australasia (SAE-A) presented the Melbourne-based company with the Leader in Innovation – Overall Corporate Award for its WARRIOR by Premcar program with Nissan. “Nissan’s WARRIOR by Premcar model range is all about applying Australia’s best new-car engineering and development experience to elevate world-class cars to conquer tough local conditions for Australian customers,” said Premcar CEO Bernie Quinn (pictured), who accepted the award. “This award celebrates Premcar’s dedicated team, it celebrates Nissan’s hugely successful WARRIOR by Premcar enhancement program, and it celebrates the best of Australian automotive engineering.”

Picture: supplied