The deal with mach33.aero will offer “tangible support” for local businesses wanting to tap into a recent Federal Government $25 million fund, alongside access to workspace and mentoring programs.
NSW Trade Minister Stuart Ayres travelled to Bangalore to formally launch the agreement on Friday.
“This new partnership between our National Space Industry Hub operator Cicada Innovations and mach33.aero will play an important role in driving the commercialisation of space programs and help develop our vision to support a connected and collaborative space sector,” he said.
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The deal is being spearheaded by the Space Industry Hub’s operator Cicada Innovations, itself a deep space incubator.
Its chief executive, Sally-Ann Williams, said, “Given the nascent stage of the commercial space sector, space companies must develop strong international relationships - and this is a great example of supporting that.
“It also creates a unique opportunity to harness the skills and capabilities of both nations to mutually benefit our emerging space economies.”
It comes after the Australian Space Agency, and the Indian Space Research Organisation held talks discussing the establishment of satellite tracking ground stations within Australia to monitor India’s IRNSS navigation satellites.
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These talks also followed the announcement that Australia would support India’s first manned spaceflight, Gaganyaan, with tracking of the mission in 2023.
The cementing of the partnership comes at a convenient time, with India’s major space event, the Bengaluru Space Expo, set to run from September 5 to 7. Australia has been designated a country partner at the Expo, with the Head of the Australian Space Agency, Enrico Palermo, set to lead a full in-person delegation at the Expo.
Palermo will be joined by several Australian businesses and a number of delegates supported by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Space Connect reported in February on the opening of the National Space Industry Hub.
Early tenants include the Space Industry Association, the NSW Node of the SmartSat Cooperative Research Centre and space mapping platform LeoLabs.
Liam McAneny
Liam McAneny is a journalist who has written and edited for his University International Relations journal. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (International Relations) and Bachelor of Laws from the University of Wollongong in 2021. He joined Momentum Media in 2022 and currently writes for SpaceConnect and Australian Aviation. Liam has a keen interest in geopolitics and international relations as well as astronomy.
Send Liam an email at: [email protected]
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