NSW is already home to more than a third of Australia’s space start-ups, and according to Stuart Ayres, Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney, the state boasts impressive credentials in the space sector that include well-established space R&D infrastructure through its world-class universities and centres of excellence.
“NSW offers an extensive network of ground stations including CSIRO’s Australian Telescope National Facility installations at Narrabri, Coonabarabran and Parkes, the Optus Earth Station in Sydney and the Commonwealth government’s defence satellite station in Wagga Wagga,” Minister Ayres said.
The University of Sydney is currently involved with several innovative projects in the $150 million Moon to Mars Demonstrator Feasibility Initiative, in collaboration with NASA, in support of Australian businesses to enter the global supply chains for the ambitious NASA program to return to the moon by 2024, and to land humans on Mars.
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According to Professor Stefan Williams, network co-director at the University of Sydney, NSW enterprise aims to be at the forefront of the space sector.
“The Network will position NSW enterprise to compete in the space sector by connecting key stakeholders to undertake R&D activities with a focus on translation and impact,” Professor Williams said.
The projects include research on drilling, inference and navigation for geological operations, and working with Abyss Solutions to develop robotics for asset inspection and repairs for spaceborne operations. The university also leads an ARC Industry Transformation Centre focused on developing next-generation satellite technologies and is a partner in the SmartSat CRC.
The new group will help with common challenges encountered by industry, government and research organisations when trying to facilitate growth along the entire innovation value chain, according to Professor Robert Fitch of UTS, fellow co-director of the network.
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“The new network will support collaboration between government and industry to deliver space-focused research outcomes and research translation for NSW, Australia and the world,” Professor Fitch said.
"From research collaboration, to workforce and facilities, through to securing exports and investment."
The University of Technology Sydney leads space-related research activity in areas ranging from advanced antenna systems for satellite communications to critical supporting technologies such as advanced manufacturing for space systems.
UTS also partners with leading space SMEs, such as Space Machines, to support the growth of the space industry locally by providing access to its state-of-the-art research and development facilities, including the UTS Tech Lab in Botany.
The NSW Space Research Network will also leverage other space-related activities in the precinct, including the NSW Node of the SmartSat CRC and the new National Space Industry Hub.
The new network builds on the release of the NSW Space Industry Development Strategy. According to Minister Ayres, the investment will bring together universities, industry and government to tackle space challenges, translate vital research into commercial space products, attract investment, upskill graduates and drive growth in high-tech jobs.
“The network will build on NSW’s cutting-edge space R&D to support NSW enterprise to compete both locally and globally by leveraging significant domestic and international funding opportunities,” Minister Ayres added.
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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