It will make South Australia the largest satellite manufacturer in the country, according to the government, and will create over 1,200 direct and indirect jobs.
The federal government has invested $20 million into the hub, alongside SA’s additional $20 million funding – marking the final price tag $66 million for the park.
First announced in December 2021, it will be located at Adelaide Airport due to its close proximity to key aerospace companies, and Lot Fourteen where the Australian Space Agency resides.
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The Silicon Valley-like park is a partnership with the South Australian government, alongside four companies including Fleet Space Technologies, Q-CTRL, ATSpace and Alauda Aeronautics.
The “purpose-built facility” will boost manufacturing capabilities with a focus on small satellites and their payloads, rockets and electric vertical take-off and landing vehicles (eVTOL).
Fleet Space Technologies, a small satellite manufacturer will design, engineer and accelerate the development of small satellites to drive down costs and democratise the technology, according to the company.
Alauda Aeronautics is the company behind the Airspeeder flying car race series, developing the technology as a test bed for future air mobility.
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Minister for Defence Industry and for Science and Technology Melissa Price said the project will “future-proof” the industry, making it more “self-sufficient”.
“This project will lock in Australia’s ability to deliver along the entire space supply chain,” Minister Price said.
“From research and design through to manufacture and operation, Australia’s credentials as a leading space nation are going to be significantly strengthened by this investment.”
Globally, the space sector is set to grow to US$1 trillion by 2040, and Australia is positioning itself to be a world leader of the industry.
While many have said the increased funding is being used as leverage for the upcoming election, SA Premier Steven Marshall said it is all about “building a stronger future and opening new opportunities”, and space achieves both.
“This sector is going gangbusters and it’s going to mean our young South Australians can have a rewarding career in the space sector right here without having to move interstate or overseas.”
The news comes only days after the Morrison government announced a $65 million funding into developing more launch sites and blasting off more Australian astronauts into space.
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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