Australia’s New South Wales (NSW) is engaging in the emerging competition among other states such as South Australia to establish itself as Australia’s leading New Space hub by funding seven NSW space startups to attend the AusTrade Landing Pad last week.
AusTrade Landing Pad, which was held in San Francisco, offered an intense ‘boot camp’ learning experience.
The NSW start-ups selected cover the range of New Space activities:
Arlula has developed a platform which allows organisations to purchase access to Earth observation satellites in orbit to conduct commercial and research experiments in space. Azimuth Advisory is Australia’s only law firm with significant experience in legal and regulatory issues associated with space programs. Its clients include government and the space industry as well as local and international investors in space.
The Blueprint Lab develops cutting-edge robotics to push the boundaries of research and industry in remote and hostile environments, including space. High Earth Orbit Robotics offers on-demand satellite inspection and is exploring the future potential to prospect asteroids for water and other valuable minerals.
Saber Astronautics develops mission control software for satellites that combines high-end artificial intelligence with 3D graphics to produce next-generation spacecraft diagnostic tools. Seaskip develops miniaturised, high frequency sensor systems for use on cubesats and other unmanned aerial platforms. Lastly, Space Ops Australia aims to create a fully reusable space launch vehicle through its ‘Return to Sender’ stepped development programme.
“NSW is already the leading state in Australia for space capabilities, with about 41 per cent of all Australian space businesses based here generating around two-thirds of space industry related revenue,” said Niall Blair, NSW Minister for Trade and Industry, who believed the boot camp will provide NSW companies with expert mentoring from established U.S. space businesses. “Exposing our start-ups to the world-leading U.S. industry will further accelerate our growth of the industry here.”
Dr. Paul Scully-Power, AM, is Australia’s first astronaut and the NSW Space Industry Ambassador. He explained that the start-ups were selected for their innovative technology development, including next generation mission control software, reusable launch vehicles, and on-demand satellite inspection.
“NSW is in a strong position to build its space industry,” he said.
