Southern Space - 26 May

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

Industry News

Australia and US Reach Agreement in Principle on Technology Safeguards Agreement: On the sidelines of the G7 summit this week, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and US President Joe Biden reached an in-principle agreement on the US-Australia Technology Safeguards Agreement (TSA). The agreement signifies the creation of new commercial opportunities for the Australian launch sector. A press release from the Prime Minister's office summarised that “space collaboration is a rich opportunity to build high-skilled, well-paying jobs and increase investment between our countries". The TSA will allow for the controlled transfer of US space technology, including rockets and satellites, to be launched from Australia. This week US President Biden also announced that he will ask Congress to treat Australian companies in the same way the US treats local players in procurement, supporting an easing of defence export controls between the two countries.  

Fleet Space Technologies Raises $50 million in Series C Funding Round: SIAA member Fleet Space Technologies has announced the completion of its Series C fundraising round, raising a total of AUD$50 million. This funding round follows the company’s launch of satellite-based mineral technology, ExoSphere which is currently in operation with over 30 clients. CEO Flavia Tata Nardini noted that Fleet has ‘achieved an impressive milestone of reaching $28 million in contracted revenues within a year, deploying customers in every continent of the world. This exceptional growth in revenue, coupled with our robust customer acquisition, has been a driving force behind our successful Series C round.’ 

Viasat Acquisition Receives US FCC Approval: The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has approved SIAA Foundation member Viasat’s acquisition of SIAA member Inmarsat, with the transaction expected to close at the end of the month. This is subject to regulatory approvals and clearances, with the European Commission’s competition review of the acquisition ongoing.  

NASA Selects Blue Origin for Artemis V Mission: NASA has selected Blue Origin to develop a crewed lunar lander for the Artemis V Mission. The Blue Moon lander will be developed by team led by Blue Origin that includes other space companies such as Boeing and Lockheed Martin. The demonstration landing of the Blue Moon lander is currently scheduled for no earlier than 2029, with an uncrewed test flight of a lunar lander to occur a year prior.  

South Korea: After a short delay, South Korea has successfully launched its Nuri rocket and has placed operational satellites into orbit. The successful mission is the third launch of the Nuri rocket, with previous launches carrying payloads to verify vehicle performance, as well as test satellites. South Korea intends to undertake three more launches by 2027, providing the nation with domestic space transportation capability.  

Developing Australian Agricultural Intelligence from Space: SmartSat CRC has launched the Maya Nula research program to develop national earth observation capability to help advance the Australian agricultural industry. The program will focus on supporting environmentally conscious research projects designed to reduce risk and increase productivity, and will be co-funded by research organisations, government and industry.  

Ax-2 Private Astronaut Mission to ISS: Axiom’s second privately funded crewed mission to the ISS, Ax-2, has launched this week. The mission signifies the first woman to command a private crewed mission to space, as well as the first Saudi woman in space, with two astronauts selected for the Ax-2 mission from Saudi Arabia’s first astronaut class. The crew will undertake an eight-day stay on the International Space Station and will conduct independent research investigations.  

Mars Lander Mission Planned for 2026: US companies Impulse Space and Relativity Space plan to undertake the first commercial robotic Mars lander mission in 2026, two years later than the mission was initially proposed to launch due to launch opportunities to Mars being available every two years. The companies plan to launch to Mars at a regular two-year cadence following the initial mission.  

Space-Based Maritime Tracking Service: SIAA member Spire Global and Blacksky have announced a global monitoring service to track maritime vessels through satellite technology. The ‘maritime custody service’ uses radio-frequency monitoring satellites to detect emissions from ships, as well as locate vessels that have purposely concealed their location for illicit activities. The companies report that the service can track up to 270, 000 vessels across the globe. The technology uses Blacksky’s Spectra AI cloud-based platform to analyse imaging, and Blacksky and Spire satellites to track signals and imagery.  

Tonga Undersea Volcano Disrupts Satellite Signals: A new study has found that last year’s record-breaking volcanic eruption in Tonga generated ‘equatorial plasma bubbles’ powerful enough to disrupt satellite communications in space. Shockwaves from the eruption were able to disturb the ionosphere as the 2022 Tonga eruption generated a shockwave extending above 2000km. The findings of this study may assist researchers in detecting future plasma bubbles generated by natural disasters to warn operators in space in advance.  

Job Opportunities

View new job postings on SIAA’s Southern Space Jobs Board to see what job opportunities are available in the space industry, including new job postings from SIAA member Space Machines Company.  

SIAA is also currently accepting applications for the Optus Industry Fellow position. This is a two-year full-time fellowship for an early to mid-career professional who will help to build the Australian space industry through a focus on developing national programs aimed at growing the space industry workforce. The Optus Industry Fellow will scope professional development and workforce training initiatives for space professionals as well as support national internship programs and outreach to young space professionals and students to improve pathways to the Australian space industry. Apply here. 

SIAA members can advertise job positions for free on the Southern Space Jobs board. For more information, please email operations@spaceindustry.com.au 

SIAA Member Profile: EMA Advisory

EMA Advisory is a Commercial Advisory firm, based in Canberra, providing assistance to Defence, Federal Government and Industry. 

The team consists of legally qualified and commercially experienced resources who work with Defence in a range of engagements that focus on the Space Industry and other complex and emerging domains. 

Commercial-as-a-Service Business Unit 

EMA Advisory resources utilise their extensive experience in Procurement, Contract Management, Project Management and resolving complex client issues to provide services to Industry in their dealings with Defence and other Federal Government departments. This service offering enables Industry to access support, as required, from our commercial advisors. 

So whether you need assistance with contract drafting and negotiation, IP, Tender submissions, commercialising your product/service offerings to Government or any other procurement related activity, the team have experienced resources to assist you. 

For more information, please visit www.emadvisory.com.au, or email caas@emaadvisory.com.au 

Header Image Credit - Brazil at Night (NASA, ISS, 06-12-14)

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