The federal authorities has awarded Queensland rocket firm Gilmour House Applied sciences $15 million to develop and launch a brand new sovereign surveillance satellite tv for pc as a part of a $7 billion ramping up of the nation’s house capabilities.
Defence Minister Peter Dutton mentioned the partnership with the Gold Coast tech firm is a part of the federal government’s House Command, introduced earlier this 12 months.
“According to our just lately launched Defence House Technique, Defence is carefully engaged with the Australian House Company and Australian business to develop and provide sovereign house surveillance and mission system capabilities,” he mentioned.
“I’m proud to announce this $15 million funding in new army house capabilities to counter threats and guarantee our continued entry to space-based intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.”
“Defence first established a partnership with Gilmour House in 2020 to collectively develop defence-related house applied sciences, significantly rocket motor-system elements.
“Since that point, we’ve been testing supplies and propulsion applied sciences – all with a view to growing a hybrid rocket to launch payloads and small satellites.”
Minister Dutton mentioned Defence is aiming to launch a satellite tv for pc prototype along side Gilmour House by mid-2023.
“That is what we are able to obtain when authorities manages our financial system nicely, invests in defence functionality and backs Australian business to assist develop jobs now and into the longer term,” he mentioned.
The Defence Space Strategy is Australia’s first and was accompanied by a public “Space Power eManual” the principle areas of focus for Australia’s defence capabilities in house.
Gilmour House CEO Adam Gilmour mentioned the federal government assist was “an enormous milestone” for the corporate because it developed sovereign house and launch capabilities for civil, industrial and Defence clients.
“Beneath this deal, Gilmour House will probably be growing a G-class satellite tv for pc for Defence and launching it on our Eris rocket from an Australian launch website,” he mentioned.
“We firmly imagine that partnerships like this can assist to develop future house and Defence primes in Australia and result in extra functionality for Defence within the years forward.”