Southern Space - 28 October

Southern Space is a weekly newsletter produced by SIAA to inform the Australian space industry?

CEO Update

It was fantastic to see such a successful Andy Thomas Space Forum in Adelaide this week and the growing interest in exhibiting and networking with our industry. We are finding new companies with components, ideas, and talent to build Australian space capability each week. We are also welcoming new members to the SIAA and I want to thank Fleet Space Technologies, McKinsey, GPC Electronics, PWC, HEO Robotics, and Quasar Satellite Technologies for joining as new corporate members in recent weeks. Thanks also to SpaceBD and the Adelaide University Space Society for partnering with SIAA to deliver a highly successful (and extraordinarily packed) networking function at the conclusion of the Forum.?

We have convened meetings of the SIAA Board and Advisory Council in the past week to consider SIAA’s forward strategy in the lead up to hosting the International Astronautical Congress in Sydney 2025. We are thinking hard about how to ensure this event delivers for our members and the entire Australian space industry, as well as what role Australia should be playing in space in the years to come. With that in mind, SIAA welcomes this week’s?commitment ?by?the Australian Government to ban direct-ascent anti-satellite testing and the commitment by Deputy Prime Minister Marles, Foreign Minister Wong, and Minister for Industry and Science Husic that Australia will be a responsible actor in space. Minister Husic acknowledged:?

“Space technologies support critical services that improve national wellbeing and economic prosperity. This commitment is a responsible step to help ensure space assets are protected for the benefit of all Australians.”?

Space cooperation also formed a significant pillar in meetings between Australia and Japan this week, with the?announcement ?that Australia will host the return of JAXA’s sample from Phobos and cooperate with Japan on planning for the successor to the Japanese Himawari weather satellite.?

This week’s federal budget saw no changes announced to funding for Australian civilian space programs, a significant result in a challenging economic environment and amidst growing pressures on government spending. The National Space Mission for Earth Observation appears to be positioned to proceed imminently. There is still no certainty on timelines for Moon to Mars programs under review by the government, including the Lunar Rover mission. We are closely engaged with Minister Husic’s office on these issues and articulating the challenges industry faces with delays to these programs. What is clear from our discussions across the federal government is that as an industry we have much work to do in the coming months to help decision makers, and the public, understand the direct relevance and benefit of space to everyday Australian life. And to consider how space provides critical infrastructure that underpins our national prosperity and security. I will be in touch shortly with?members with more on our plans to achieve this.?

SIAA Board of Directors and SIAA CEO

Industry News

Space Domain Awareness Partnership:?SIAA member?Nova Systems ?has announced a partnership with Curtin University to deliver a prototype passive array radar system that can locate and track satellites and space debris. The prototype is based on the adaptation of the Curtin University-led Murchison Widefield Array and will be located at Nova Systems’ Space Precinct in South Australia. Nova Systems Executive General Manager Mission Solutions, Andrew Mannix noted that “the passive array radar prototype is a massive step in Australian innovation to collect big data from space sensors”.?

Gilmour Space Rideshare Mission and Partnership with UK EV Technology:?SIAA member?Gilmour Space Technologies ?has announced a rideshare mission?scheduled to launch in 2024. The satellites will be launched aboard one of the company’s G-class satellite buses, developed in collaboration with Griffith University and can host multiple payloads including scientific instruments, thrusters, sensors, processors and other space technologies. The company has also?partnered ?with UK-based global electrification specialist Equipmake to supply the Australian rocket company with a bespoke electric motor and inverter system to integrate with its orbital Eris rocket engines.?

Kanyini Satellite to Launch Aboard SpaceX Transporter Mission:?Earlier this week Kanyini’s IoT mission lead Myriota announced that?Kanyini ?would launch aboard a SpaceX Transporter mission in 2023. Kanyini is a collaboration between SIAA member Inovor Technologies, SmartSat CRC, Myriota and the South Australian government. Kanyini will deliver space-derived services for applications across government and commercial use.?

Australian Integrated Control Segment:?SIAA Foundation member?Northrop Grumman Australia ?has integrated a Dynamic Satellite Simulator and Spacecraft Command and Control System into the mission visualisation and demonstration facility Parallax Labs. The integration of this system will support the company’s JP9102 bid to provide the sovereign defence satellite communication for Australia.?

Indian Space Research Organisation Launches OneWeb Satellites:?This week?OneWeb ?confirmed the successful deployment of 36 satellites, with?the company’s LEO constellation now numbering over 460 satellites. The joint launch between New Space India Ltd (NSIL) and ISRO is the nation’s first commercial space launch using the LVM3 rocket, which has also undergone several tests a part of its certification for India’s Garganyaan human spaceflight mission. The completed OneWeb constellation will use 648 LEO satellites to deliver high-speed, low-latency connectivity to a global market.?

China:?The?China Manned Space Agency ?has announced that the final Mengtian space station module is on the launch pad set to launch aboard a Long March 5B heavy lift rocket. The third space station module will complete China’s Tiangong space station, which is expected to operate for at least 10 years. The exact date of launch is unknown, with the module expected to launch in the coming weeks. This announcement follows other news this week that China’s reusable experiment?spaceplane ?performed an orbit-raising manoeuvre. The exact function?of the spaceplane and the length of time the spaceplane will remain in orbit is unknown.?

Russia:?A Russian official speaking at a United Nations meeting on outer space security has criticised other countries use of commercial satellites for military purposes, suggesting that the use of?commercial satellites ?is “an extremely dangerous trend that … has become apparent during the latest developments in Ukraine”. Expanding on previous comments made in international space security forums the?official warned that “quasi-civilian infrastructure may become a legitimate target for retaliation”.?

Artemis:?NASA has ordered an additional three crew capsules to be used in future?Artemis ?missions. The three Orion spacecraft will be developed by SIAA Foundation member Lockheed Martin and are expected to launch at the end of the decade. The Artemis 1 mission launch is scheduled for 14 November.?

International Space Station:?NASA has announced that earlier this week the International Space Station ?adjusted its orbit to avoid space debris. With the International Space Station planned to operate until 2030, partner agencies have stated that they are in?discussions ?to plan how they will use and finance commercial space stations that will replace the ISS. Current barter agreements used by partner agencies on the ISS are not viable for commercial space stations, with direct payments by agencies to commercial providers also raising political obstacles.?

SpaceX:?SpaceX plans to undertake the first?Falcon Heavy ?launch since 2019 on Monday 31st October. The rocket will launch two classified US Space Force satellites into orbit.??

Industry Opportunities

IAC2023 Call for Session Proposals and Abstracts

The International Astronautical Federation is calling for proposals to contribute to the programme of the IAC 2023 in Baku, Azerbaijan. The programme will be held under the theme “Global Challenges and Opportunities: Give Space a Chance”. More information on how to submit a proposal can be found?here .?

Abstract submissions close 28 February 2023. Submit an?abstract here .?

SIAA looks forward to welcoming the international space community to Australia for IAC2025?

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Applications open for Venture Catalyst Space

Applications are now open for Venture Catalyst Space, with successful applicants receiving up to $10,000 in equity free funding to launch their commercial space venture. Venture Catalyst Space is a globally renowned start-up accelerator program, designed specifically for entrepreneurs and innovators in the space industry. In addition to providing funding, the program fast-tracks access to the international space industry and offers access to a global network of space experts and mentors.

Applications are now open, and close November 16.?Apply now ?

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Reef Starter Innovation Challenge?

This challenge is open to?start-up organizations, researchers, and entrepreneurs with an interest in advancing their technology via access to a microgravity environment.?Sponsored by Orbital Reef, the goal of the Reef Starter Innovation Challenge is to identify start-up organizations that could benefit from operations on the planned Orbital Reef?LEO commercial space station, particularly those that hold promise for improving the lives and world for those on earth. Technologies from materials science to pharma, electronics to advanced manufacturing, physiology to media are of interest in this Challenge. Up to three finalists will receive up?to $100,000 in non-dilutive funds?to accelerate their technology and their business in addition to several other non-monetary incentives.?

Submissions close 4 November 8pm EST.?

Apply for the?Reef Starter Innovation Challenge here .?

Job Opportunities

View new job postings on?SIAA’s Southern Space Jobs Board ?to see what job opportunities are available in the space industry. See new jobs from SIAA members Space Machines Company, Spire Global and Av-Comm Space & Defence.?

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

Upcoming Events

Southern Space - Register Now

Southern Space connects space industry experts and decision-makers from across Australia to help shape the future agenda of Australian space’s aspirations.?SIAA Corporate members are eligible for three free tickets, with tickets also available to non-members.?

Registrations are open now – Register Here .??

SIAA Member Profile: GPC Electronics

GPC Electronics is Australia’s largest sovereign electronics contract manufacturer with a distinct focus on Space, Aerospace and Defence. Their flexible production facilities in Penrith, NSW, houses more than 10,000m2 with the latest advanced modern manufacturing equipment for your PCBs, LRUs, satellite buses, and flight ready satellites. GPC’s experienced team assist customers with DFX Services throughout the design process from prototyping to production ready components ensuring the highest possible quality, optimised cost, and complete traceability.?

GPC can provide complete testing capability with Automated Optical Inspection (AOI), X-Ray Inspection, In-Circuit Tests, Flying Probes, and functional testing including thermal, vacuum, and shake-and-bake.?

The company’s quality management system is accredited to a range of standards, including ISO 9001 (Quality), ISO 14001 (Environmental), AS 9100 (Aerospace, Space and Defence), and RoHS. GPC is also DISP accredited.?

GPC puts their facilities, advanced manufacturing capabilities and testing experience at your disposal to ensure your mission success on the ground, and on-orbit. The company has space heritage with electronic components already onboard spacecraft in orbit.?

Join the Southern Space mailing list by emailing?[email protected]

Header Image Credit:?"Shanghai Night - Expedition 46 John Kelly (6 Feb 2016)" (NASA.GOV)