The group is proposing to enhance homegrown capabilities through the Modern Manufacturing Initiative (MMI) Collaboration Stream – a $1.3 billion project announced in 2020.
It is under the Australian Space Manufacturing Network (ASMN), which is spearheaded by Gilmour Space, a rocket and satellite manufacturer, and backed by the Queensland government.
“The space industry is still very new relative to other industry pillars, and it lacks the funding and basic infrastructure to support it,” said Adam Gilmour, CEO of Gilmour Space.
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The Manufacturing Collaboration Stream – part of the MMI – provides funding for large projects that support business collaborations.
In a statement, the group proposed three new facilities to be established in Queensland, including:
- a common test and manufacturing facility, enabling members to advance their space research and technology development at lower cost;
- an advanced manufacturing facility for building commercial rockets and satellites, anchored by Gilmour Space; and
- an orbital spaceport at Abbot Point near Bowen in north Queensland, which will help bring many of these products to space.
Australia’s space capabilities have been boosted by $700 million since Prime Minister Scott Morrison entered into office, expecting the sector to triple by 2040.
But for many years, Australia has depended on international space infrastructure and technology, stunting the nation from creating its own capabilities.
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Industry leaders have long said the nation has several advantages, including ideal location in the southern hemisphere and strong international partnerships.
Glen Tindall, CEO of EOS Communications Systems, said, “Australian space manufacturing facilities will unlock Australia’s true potential as a respected space faring nation.”
He added the ASMN brings a “diverse range” of industry groups together to push for these facilities within Australia.
Some of the founding members of the team include Swinburne University of Technology in Victoria, ARM Hub in Queensland, Spiral Blue in NSW, Space Machines in South Australia and many others.
Gilmour touted six states and territories in Australia are involved in the bid.
He said the “industry-led project” to establish infrastructure will “unlock collaborations, create jobs and capability, attract private investment” and push the sector to commercialisation.
CEO of ARM Hub, a robotics manufacturer, Dr Cori Steward said to advance Australia’s manufacturing future, Australian-wide companies need to “do bigger business together.
“ARM Hub will be catalysing commercialisation through industry access to the nation’s expertise, de-risking technology adoption and building workforce digital capability, collaboratively,” she said.
The ASMN proposal has been submitted to the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources.
Isabella Richards
Bella Richards is a journalist who has written for several local newspapers, her university newspaper and a tech magazine, and completed her Bachelor of Communications (Journalism) at the University of Technology Sydney in 2020. She joined Momentum Media in 2021, and has since written breaking news stories across Space Connect, Australian Aviation and World of Aviation.
You can email Bella on: [email protected]
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