What were the five biggest stories of the week? Here’s what visitors to @AuManufacturing were reading. 5) Applications open for Industry Growth Program, $6.9 million announced for four not-for-profits to assist IGP A total of $6.9 million in grant funding was announced for four Industry Partner Organisations (IPO), alongside the opening of applications for the…
@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…
CSIRO-developed printed flexible solar cells are travelling on Space Machines Company’s Optimus-1 private satellite, which flew as cargo aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket launched on Tuesday (Australian time.) A statement from the national science agency following the launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California explained that it is exploring such solar cells as a…
Satellite manufacturer Space Machines Company has announced the successful launch this morning of Optimus, Australia’s largest-ever private satellite and the company’s first Orbital Servicing Vehicle (OSV). The foundation of the company’s future in-orbit satellite servicing opereations was launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket during the Transporter-10 mission. Following…
MGA Thermal’s blocks go a simulated decade Thermal energy storage company MGA Thermal has announced successful simulation of ten years’ working life for its MGA Blocks. The Blocks are used to store and discharge heat, use a purpose-designed miscibility gap alloy, and are being rapidly cycled to help inform customers what to expect from storage,…
A new $2.3 million project led by University of Sydney, and supported by industry partners Abyss Solutions, ANT61, Space Machines Company, Sperospace and Spiral Blue, focusses on robotic satellite technologies for in-orbit repairs and maintenance. “With the number of satellites and spacecraft in orbit increasing rapidly, there’s a greater likelihood of malfunctions and collisions,” said…
Sydney-based istartup Space Machines Company has announced a partnership with refuelling company Orbit Fab — which the pair says combines their expertise “to advance in-space servicing” — with a planned launch aboard a SpaceX rocket next year. SMC has a stated goal of eventually offering “roadside assistance in space” for on-orbit infrastructure. In a statement…
Space “roadside assistance” startup Space Machines Company (SMC) and engineering firm Siemens have shared details of SMC’s use of Siemens Xcelerator software portfolio to create an Orbital Servicing Vehicle (OSV), described as “one of the largest commercial spacecrafts” made in Australia. Last month SMC announced assembly and integration of all hardware for the 270 kilogram…
Space logistics business Space Machines Company has announced a purchase of Inovor Technologies’ navigation system, Star Tracker, which will be integrated into SMC’s orbital servicing vehicle, Optimus. Star Tracker “will play a pivotal role in enhancing the navigation capabilities of Optimus” according to SMC, which plans to provide transportation and other in-space services following its…
