@AuManufacturing turns today in our editorial series – Towards 3% R&D – Turbocharging Australia’s Innovation Effort – to one of the bright sparks in the innovation scene – the development of a research-based space industry. By Xavier Orr. Australia’s space sector has skyrocketed in the past two decades. As of 2008, Australia was the only…
Satellite manufacturer Space Machines Company has announced a joint Indian-Australian mission on space debris management, supported by an $8.5 million grant from the Australian government. SMC, which bills itself an “in-space servicing firm”, announced “Space MAITRI” (मैत्री, or Mission for Australia-India’s Technology, Research and Innovation) on Tuesday, saying the joint industry-led mission will “demonstrate progress…
The ELO2 Consortium’s pioneering lunar rover prototype, the result of Australian ingenuity in remote operations of mining equipment and aspirations in space, was unveilled in Adelaide today and could be on the way to the Moon courtesy of a NASA mission. The prototype, to be named Roo-ver, is one of two being developed by different…
The Australian Space Agency has funded the development of an Australian aerospace grade Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receiver. The receiver, funded under its Moon to Mars Supply Chain Capability Improvement Grants scheme, is destined for use in various aerospace applications such as rockets, satellites, and aircraft. Queensland-based Gilmour Space Technologies, in collaboration with the…
Valiant Space’s first propulsion system is now orbiting in space where it is a key part of the Optimus Orbital Servicing Vehicle (OSV) built by Space Machines Company (SMC). Valiant VS-1 thruster flew to space on a SpaceX Falcon 9 as part of the OSV and will be performing numerous orbit changing manoeuvres for SMC’s…
The Gilmour Space Technologies-operated spaceport in north Queensland has gained approval as an orbital launch facility, Gilmour announced on Tuesday morning. The Bowen Orbital Spaceport is the first granted its licence by federal industry minister Ed Husic under the Space (Launches & Returns) Act 2018, the company said. Rocket manufacturer and launch services provider Gilmour…
Australian freelancing marketplace Freelancer.com and space consortium ELO2 announced the phase one winners of a challenge to design a sampling device for Lunar soil, known as regolith. The ELO2 Big Dipper Lunar Regolith Acquisition Challenge was set up to identify designs of a Regolith Sample Acquisition Device, a crucial component of a proposed Australian lunar…
The Australian Space Agency is seeking expressions of interest (EOI) from companies and institutions seeking to discuss their niche Australian technology capabilities. Through its Moon to Mars initiative, the ASA is working closely with international partner agencies to identify Australian technology capabilities that could add value to international space exploration endeavours. The information from this…
Neumann Space today announced that they have signed an MOU with Spire to form a teaming relationship to collaborate on the integration of a Neumann Space propulsion system on-board one of the proven Spire satellite platforms for an In-Orbit Demonstration mission! This project will be supported by funding from the Australian Government. The agreement was…
On the day one of the two teams competing to build Australia’s first lunar rover has unveiled their prototype design, the name of the eventual winner’s vehicle has been announced as Roo-ver. The Australian Space Agency made an invitation to individuals and schools to submit their naming suggestions in September. A shortlist of four names…
