Southern Space - 12 August

Industry News

Australia Joins LandSat Next Program: In a formal signing last week, Australia formally joined the US-led Landsat Next satellite program as a core partner. Foreign Minister Penny Wong and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken signed a bilateral statement at the Australia-US Ministerial Consultations (AUSMIN). Under the agreement, Australia will commit $207.4 million to Geoscience Australia over the next four years to develop advanced data processing and analytics capabilities. The funding will also provide essential support through upgraded ground station capabilities in Alice Springs. Landsat Next is set to launch in 2031.??

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Second SouthPAN Ground Station Facility Complete: SIAA Foundation Member Lockheed Martin has successfully installed the second of two SouthPAN satellite ground control facilities in New Zealand. The site was opened by New Zealand’s Minister for Land Information, Chris Penk, alongside representatives from SIAA Member Av-Comm Space & Defence.??

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iLAuNCH Trailblazer Latest Projects: SIAA Member iLAuNCH Trailblazer has announced a project to develop a wearable device capable of analysing and predicting astronaut health. Under the project, the Australian National University will partner with Axiom Space and Aqacia to develop a wearable Space Health Device that will sense, transmit and assess health data in remote areas including sub-orbital flights. On August 1, iLAuNCH Trailblazer announced a further $1 million in funding to accelerate university research towards commercialisation. The iLAuNCH Accelerator will host a Fast Track fund, dedicated to seed funding for proof-of-concept demonstrator technologies with long-term commercial prospects.??

In collaboration with SIAA Foundation Member Northrop Grumman and Spiral Blue, iLAuNCH also announced a project aiming to develop a new sovereign capability for hypersonic missile detection through the fusion of infrared detection technology and space-based AI and machine learning data processing techniques.?

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Rocket Lab: SIAA Member Rocket Lab announced the successful launch of the company’s fifth mission for Japanese company Synspective. Rocket Lab successfully deployed Synspective’s StriX SAR-imaging satellite into LEO aboard an Electron rocket on August 3.?

?Rocket Lab also recently announced a collaboration with Kongsberg Satellite Services (KSAT) to develop an advanced global ground station service. The collaboration aims to provide reliable communications for future Neutron rocket launches, enhanced Electron missions, and various on-orbit operations, spacecraft deorbit, and return-to-Earth missions using Rocket Lab spacecraft.?

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Viasat Orbit Collaboration: SIAA Member Viasat has announced a key partnership with Orbit Communication Systems to develop multi-purpose satcom terminals for airborne platforms. Orbit plans to introduce the next-generation of airborne satcom systems for integration across Viasat’s global Ka-band networks?

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Cygnus Resupply Mission: SpaceX successfully launched a Cygnus resupply mission to the International Space Station (ISS) for SIAA Foundation Member Northrop Grumman. NASA announced that Northrup’s Cygnus resupply spacecraft reached the ISS early on August 6, delivering approximately four tons of supplies to the orbiting laboratory.??

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China Qianfan Satellites: A Long March 6A rocket fragmented into a cloud of over 700 pieces of space debris during China’s recent attempted launch of 18 Qianfan communications satellites into orbit. SIAA Member LeoLabs’ radar data has reported “at least 700 debris fragments and potentially more than 900.”??

Industry Opportunities

Department of Industry, Science and Resources: Space (Launches and Returns) Rules?

Have your say on proposed changes to Australian spaceflight regulations: The Australian Space Agency is committed to reducing regulatory burden on applicants for spaceflight authorisations to better achieve the object of the Space (Launches and Returns) Act 2018. Share your thoughts to enhance the regulation of space activities.?

Respond via an online survey on Consultation Hub by COB 14 August 2024.?

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AYAA Young Australian Space Leader (YASL) Scholarships Open?

The Australian Young Aerospace Association’s (AYAA) Young Australian Space Leader Award is a scholarship for the Youth of Australia to attend the International Astronautical Congress.?

Intended to reward those whom have had a broad impact and brilliant space future ahead, nominations are open to AURC participants, ASTRA participants, and those whom have volunteered in any AYAA communities across 2023 and 2024.?

See here for more information.??

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Call for Abstracts of the Global Space Exploration Conference (GLEX 2025) Open?

The International Astronautical Federation (IAF), as the Organizer, together with its Member the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), as the Host, and the Astronautical Society of India, as the Co-Host, are pleased to announce the opening of the Call for Abstracts of the Global Space Exploration Conference (GLEX 2025) to be held on 7-9 May 2025 in New Delhi, India.?

Submissions close 7 November 2024. See here for further details and how to apply.?

Upcoming Events

Southern Space 2024: The World Has Changed

When: 21-22 August

Where: Hotel Realm, Canberra

The Space Industry Association of Australia’s Southern Space conference is a gathering of the brightest minds across government, defence and industry. This conference will explore how Australia and the world must adapt to a changing geopolitical, economic and strategic context, focusing on how space can enable a more secure world.

This year's theme: The World Has Changed. Have Your Priorities?

Our conference programme will offer novel perspectives on current global challenges and opportunities, contextualising space within broader global trends. We look forward to releasing a full programme shortly. SIAA Members are entitled to a limited number of complimentary registrations.

Register here to secure your place at Southern Space.

Job Opportunities

View new job postings on SIAA’s Southern Space Jobs Board to see what job opportunities are available in the space industry.

SIAA members can advertise job positions for free on the Southern Space Jobs board. For more information, please email [email protected]

SIAA Member Profile: Av-Comm Space and Defence??

Av-Comm designs, manufactures, and installs advanced RF ground station terminals, supporting Space and Defence customers worldwide. Founded in 1981, Av-Comm is a second-generation, family-operated business that has grown from a team of 3 to over 30 professionals. Our strategic acquisitions and relentless pursuit of innovation have established us as a leader in the industry. Av-Comm specialises in six key areas, Field Services & Project Management, Cassowary – Satellite Ground Terminals, Sustainment & Maintenance, Satcom Hardware, Airtime Services and Defence Solutions. Av-Comm prides itself on its innovation, resourcefulness, reliability, and an ability to collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders.?

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Header Image Credit:?Linear Dunes, Namib Sand Sea (NASA, ISS, 27-03-16)