Supporting Canberra's growing space industry

22/09/2023

The ACT Space Update 2023 launched today. Canberra has a range of competitive advantages in the space industry. Our knowledge-based economy, space governance leadership, innovative networks and commitment to a diverse and inclusive workforce create the right settings for space industry success.

As well as a long history with space mission success, we are home to Australia’s leading enabling space infrastructure, and we have Australia’s only end-to-end facilities for designing, building and testing spacecraft.

The Update builds on CBR Switched On: ACT’s Economic Development Priorities 2022-2025 and includes a plan to develop a Canberra Space Hub, which will act as a connection point between research, industry and government.

The ACT Space Update 2023 is focused on establishing Canberra as Australia’s gateway to space through four missions.

BUILD a fit-for-purpose and diverse workforce through inclusive education and training pathways across education and tertiary institutions.

EXPAND scientific research capability by building partnerships with industry as well as connecting industry with customers to facilitate commercialisation.

UNLOCK investment and global markets by accelerating small and medium enterprise capability to both attract and increase participation in global markets.

PROMOTE ACT space-based technology and the downstream services sector using advocacy, marketing and ‘Team Canberra’ promotional support.

To further support the space industry and grow local industry, the ACT Government will contribute $1 million, to be matched by Smart Sat CRC, to establish an ACT space research and development partnering program.

Two projects funded under this program will include:

OzFuel: The ANU Institute of Space and its partners will receive $1.3 million to contribute to the Resilience Mission Project, with the development of OzFuel, a space-based senor platform that will assist in bushfire prevention, detection, mitigation and resilience. Currently, fire management is dependent on an ageing fleet of foreign satellites that are not designed for monitoring Australian ecosystems and their associated fire risk. This project will position Australia as a credible global provider of space sourced environmental information, underpinned by bushfire science and on-ground First Nations traditional knowledge.

Smart Multi-modal Optical Surveillance System (SMOS): UNSW Canberra and its partners will receive $700,000 to develop SMOS to help respond to the risks of an increasing number of space objects in Low Earth Orbit. This world-first will enable the rapid development and testing of a novel capability for the continuous and autonomous detection and identification of space objects. Imaging in space includes challenges of tracking and capturing fast-moving objects, within the frame and of sufficient resolution and image quality – challenges which are addressed through this proposed project.

These projects highlight the capability of Canberra’s space industry and our competitive advantages, which create the right environment for meaningful partnerships to thrive, helping businesses to create jobs and grow.

Professor Anna Moore, Director, ANU Institute for Space (InSpace): “ANU InSpace is delighted to be working with the SmartSat CRC and ACT government on a range of projects that lift our sovereign manufacturing sector and solve some of society’s greatest challenges, including climate change adaptation.”

Dr Ed Kruzins, Director, UNSW Canberra Space: “The funding announced for this research is so important because operating in an extreme environment like space is complex and challenging, and artificial intelligence is key to making this a simpler and less risky task.

“These projects put the ACT in the box seat for the next generation of space activities and UNSW Canberra Space is really excited about our role in the sector and being a central player in the ACT’s growing space industry.”

Professor Andy Koronios, CEO, Smart Sat CRC: “Since 2020, SmartSat has demonstrated a commitment to building the ACT’s space R&D capabilities, funding over ten projects at both the Australian National University (ANU) and UNSW Canberra. We are therefore excited to support this proactive agenda laid out by the ACT government.

“This fresh round of research investment by SmartSat delivers a rapid injection to the ACT Space Update. We believe it will have a force-multiplier effect on the development of space R&D capability in the ACT and provide direct support to the ANU’s broader Earth Observation Resilience Mission with critical technology.

“SmartSat is building the foundation for a strong and successful national space sector. Through strategic investments that bring together prime industry players such as EOS Space Systems and emerging companies like Infinity Avionics with Australia’s leading universities, we are developing the specialist capability needed to grow a robust commercial space industry “