The Norwegian-based company is collaborating with Australian firm Starsite, which owns the land, on the project. Globally, Kongsberg Satellites Services has 300 antennas in 28 sites, including stations in Dubai, Singapore, Mauritius and Tokyo.
“The site, located in a region known for its low radio frequency (RF) environment and proximity to First Nations communities, provides optimal conditions for seamless lunar communications,” said Kongsberg.
“In addition to its strategic positioning, the area boasts resilient infrastructure, with reliable power and fibre connectivity, prepared to support critical operations of lunar missions, lunar and satellite operations.
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“The area's favourable climate, characterized by stable wind and rainfall patterns, ensures dependable performance. Moreover, the project is set to engage local contractors, fostering employment and supporting nearby Indigenous communities.”
Kongsberg hasn't stated the site's exact location, but Starsite is based in Kojarena, north of Perth.
Australia has a long history of supporting lunar missions with its antennas.
Most notably, Canberra’s Deep Space Communication Complex has played a crucial role in some of NASA’s most high-profile missions, including Apollo and Voyager.
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Just last month, it established two-way communication with NASA’s mission to the icy moon of Jupiter shortly after it blasted off from the Kennedy Space Center.
Federal Member for Durack, Melissa Price, a former Minister for Space, said, “I’m thrilled to see this initiative to develop further space infrastructure in the Midwest by two leading space industry companies.
“This project underscores the importance of diversifying our Midwest economy and strengthening our role in Australia’s growing space sector.”
The announcement was made during WA’s Space Week initiative, which included the Space & Earth conference in Perth.
Earlier this week, the state also revealed it would grant LatConnect 60 $3.5 million to build the state’s first commercial satellite assembly facility.
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 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.
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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