The National Space Industry Hub is managed by incubator Cicada Innovations and aims to offer resources, mentoring and networking opportunities for emerging ventures.
Early tenants include the Space Industry Association, the NSW Node of the SmartSat Cooperative Research Centre and space mapping platform LeoLabs.
The development, announced two years ago, will be seen as a rival to SA’s successful Lot Fourteen precinct in Adelaide, which itself houses the Australian Space Agency and Space Discovery Centre.
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The NSW government’s Minister for Enterprise, Stuart Ayres, said the organisations in the hub show the state has the “strongest space capability in Australia”.
As part of the launch, Cicada Innovations launched a new ‘Fast Start’ intense coaching program, which aims to help companies commercialise innovative ideas.
Participants in the first cohort include Extraterrestrial Power, which aims to support space missions by producing advanced silicon solar cells and Amentum Aerospace, which specialises in predictive scientific modelling software to enhance operational planning for space missions.
Both companies will receive a six-month tailored program of mentoring and coaching, access to state-of-the-art rapid prototyping facilities and a dedicated workspace at the hub.
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Also launched as part of the hub’s opening was the Foundations Program, a free online learning resource for researchers, engineers and aspiring entrepreneurs looking for foundational knowledge on how to commercialise space technology.
Cicada Innovations CEO Sally-Ann Williams said on the Hub’s website, “Whilst researchers and engineers have brilliant ideas, many lack the commercialisation skills to bring them to market.
“The first pillar of the National Space Industry Hub is to build a strong foundation of people with the skills to innovate.
“The space ecosystem doesn’t just require robotics engineers and developers, space farming requires horticulturists, space medicine requires biochemists, we want to bring everyone on the journey so they have the skills and knowledge to contribute.”
Thanks for joining us @HeadSpaceAu! We can’t wait to be part of making the Australian space industry bigger and better than ever. #space #innovation #deeptech pic.twitter.com/ap3j7Yjpf3
— Cicada Innovations (@CicadaInnov) February 10, 2022
Adam Thorn
Adam is a journalist who has worked for more than 40 prestigious media brands in the UK and Australia. Since 2005, his varied career has included stints as a reporter, copy editor, feature writer and editor for publications as diverse as Fleet Street newspaper The Sunday Times, fashion bible Jones, media and marketing website Mumbrella as well as lifestyle magazines such as GQ, Woman’s Weekly, Men’s Health and Loaded. He joined Momentum Media in early 2020 and currently writes for Australian Aviation and World of Aviation.
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