On March 2, SpaceX plans to launch its first test of an unmanned Dragon vehicle which is designed to carry humans into low Earth orbit and to the International Space Station. If the test is successful, later this year, SpaceX plans to launch American astronauts from United States soil for the first time since 2011.
The Australian government and Boeing have partnered to develop an unmanned fighter jet, the first combat aircraft developed locally since World War 2. In a stunning announcement at the Avalon air show, defence minister, Christopher Pyne said Australia was investing $40 million alongside Boeing developing the ‘Loyal Wingman’ aircraft. Pyne said: “The partnership will produce…
RAAF funding has helped Western Sydney University develop a world-first space camera to be demonstrated publcly for the first time at this year’s Australian International Airshow at Avalon. The Astrosite camera, developed by the university’s International Centre for Neuromorphic Systems (ICNS), can capture images of objects in space with unprecedented temporal resolution, even during the…
Plans by UGL-backed Energy Renaissance to establish a massive lithium ion battery manufacturing facility in Australia have taken another step forward with the company selecting the technology to be used. Energy Renaissance has partnered with Connecticut-based Cadenza Innovation which has developed a novel ‘supercell’ technology which simplifys the manufacturing process and improves energy storage density.…
The Lucas Heights nuclear reactor and research precinct has expanded to embrace greater interaction with Australian industry. The Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, which runs the OPAL pool reactor, has inaugurated the ANSTO innovation precinct to extend the reach of its unique nuclear capabilities. ANSTO has long performed research for industry using instruments that…
Royal Dutch Shell’s purchase of German home battery maker, sonnen has cleared the way for it to enter the Australian market with a home-grown product. Sonnen has already begun manufacturing home systems at a plant in the former Holden assembly plant at Elizabeth north of Adelaide. It had plans to make 50,000 systems over five…
Dassault Systemes has announced a new category of software solutions, driven by what it says is a fast-changing industrial environment, at the annual SolidWorks World conference. This new collection includes cloud-based simulation, design, enterprise resource planning and social collaboration tools.
The Head of the Australian Space Agency has outlined her vision for the Australian space industry during a talk at the University of South Australia.
Satellite communications company Myriota has announced the first of a string of commercial products that will utilise its low-cost earth-to-satellite transmission technology.
Precision laboratory test instrument manufacturer, Liquid Instruments has raised $11.1 million in Series A venture capital funding. The company, which developed a software configurable hardware platform that integrates 12 test and measurement instruments in one, raised the funds from US-based Anzu Partners and Canberra’s ANU Connect Ventures. The funds will accelerate product development and sales…
