The Perth-based company, which currently specialises in Earth observation, is matching the investment itself to fund sensor calibration, spectrum licence, ground segment, and data processing.
Australia currently has a handful of firms creating satellites and satellite buses (effectively the fuselage or main body) such as Gilmour, Inovor, Space Machines Company and Skykraft.
WA’s Minister of Science, Stephen Dawson, said, “The state’s space history spans tens of thousands of years, as Aboriginal people used astronomical phenomena to inform behaviour, navigation and social structures.
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“In recent times, Western Australia has played key roles supporting global space operations, including NASA’s Apollo program in the 1960s, and Intuitive Machines’ IM-1 mission in early 2024 – marking the United States’ first return to the lunar surface since 1972 and the first successful commercial lunar surface mission.”
It comes after LatConnect picked Gilmour last week to provide it with the satellite bus for an upcoming demonstration mission aimed at providing high-resolution insights into methane and carbon emissions from space.
“As part of the Australian Space Agency’s International Space Investment India Projects program, LatConnect 60’s short-wave infrared imagery satellite will carry advanced sensors and an edge computer provided by Sydney-based Spiral Blue,” Gilmour said.
“These components will be integrated onto the ElaraSat bus at Gilmour Space’s Australian Space Manufacturing Network facility in Queensland, and launched by Skyroot Aerospace in India.”
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Aside from satellites, WA has also hinted recently that it’s looking to establish a spaceport in the state, rivalling similar facilities in South Australia, Queensland and the Northern Territory.
The state’s new space industry strategy argued that the vast coastline and minimal air traffic would make it an “ideal location” for “space launch and return activities”.
WA is home to two of the world’s most prestigious radio telescopes but lacks a working spaceport despite a private proposal for one in Albany being unveiled in 2022.
“Western Australia is an ideal location for space communication, tracking and launch activities, offering a range of advantages and optimal environmental conditions,” the report stated.
“Western Australia, with its clear skies, large arid areas, minimal radio interference, and location around 120 degrees apart in longitude to Western Europe/UK and North America, is a world-class location for hosting space ground infrastructure.
“The state already hosts dozens of national and international facilities that support the global coverage of space assets, space communication, space situational awareness, and positioning, navigation, and timing.”
The Western Australia Space Industry Strategy includes six core goals for the state to achieve by 2030, including attracting significant investment, supporting STEM education and increasing the awareness of the value of space.
Its overall vision is for WA to be a “globally recognised Indo-Pacific space hub”.
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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