Southern Space - 4 November

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

Southern Space - Limited Tickets Available

Register now to secure your place at SIAA's Southern Space.

Held from 22-23 November at the Hotel Realm in Canberra, Southern Space connects space industry experts and decision-makers from across Australia to help shape the future agenda of Australian space’s aspirations. SIAA Corporate members are eligible for three free tickets, with tickets also available to non-members. 

Registrations are open now – Register Here.  

Industry News

Upcoming Australian Launch: Four SIAA member companies are preparing to launch the Kestrel I rocket from the Whalers Way Orbital Complex later this month. SIAA members AT Space, Asension, Inovor Technologies and Southern Launch have collaborated on this mission that will launch AT Space’s Kestrel I rocket from Southern Launch’s Whalers Way Orbital Launch Complex. On board the rocket will be an Inovor Technologies spacecraft integrated with payloads designed by Asension and Southern Launch. The rocket will reach an altitude of over 200 kilometres above Earth, with the total time of flight at approximately 10 minutes. 

Helicopter Rocket Catch: SIAA member Rocket Lab will attempt to catch the core stage from its 32nd Electron rocket launch with a helicopter as it returns from space on 4 November. The company will attempt to catch the rocket in mid-air and secure the rocket using its parachute line, with the company’s last rocket catch attempt in May earlier this year. The Electron rocket will launch a science research satellite for the Swedish National Space Agency. 

Australian-French MoU: Australian in-space transportation and logistics start-up, SIAA member Space Machines Company, has signed an MoU with the largest European launch provider Arianespace. The companies will jointly study the available options to ensure an optimal compatibility between launchers and Space Machines Company’s Orbital Transfer Vehicle for different mission scenarios. 

Australian Remote Operations Centre for Space Automation Supported by WA Government: International geodata company Fugro has opened a remote operations centre for space automation, AI and robotics in Perth this week, named the Australian Space Automation, Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Control Complex (SpAARC). Fugro is a founding member of SIAA member AROSE, with the company supporting the growth of remote operations development in both the resources and space industries. The WA Government has co-invested $3.5 million to establish the SpAARC in Perth, with the Deputy Premier of WA noting that “this is a historic moment for Western Australia's space industry” as “"space technology touches many aspects of everyday life, with many of the conveniences we take for granted borne out of significant investment in space”. 

DARPA Contracts Very Low Earth Orbit Satellite: The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency has contracted SIAA member Spire Global to deliver a preliminary design for a very low Earth orbit satellite tasked to undertake in-situ ionosphere measurements. The satellite will use an array of sensors to provide a high-frequency radio wave propagation in Earth’s upper atmosphere. 

CASG Signs SATCOM Support Services Contract: The Commonwealth Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group (CASG) has selected EM Solutions to undertake Introduction into Service and Support Services for the Royal Australian Navy fleet of Cobra Maritime Satellite Communications terminals. The sister company of SIAA Foundation member EOS, EM Solutions will deliver this contract over the next three years, supporting the growth of Australia’s sovereign defence industry. 

US Defense Innovation Unit Hybrid Space Network Project: Microsoft, Amazon and SpiderOak have joined the US Defence Innovation Network’s hybrid space network project. The project will create a hybrid space architecture using commercial communications systems to transfer satellite-imaging data to military users. Participating companies in the DIU project are expected to cooperate to ensure network interoperability and compatibility with other DoD assets. 

China’s Reusable Spaceplane Releases Unknown Object into Orbit: After China’s reusable spaceplane raised its perigee last week, the US Space Force has reported that it is now tracking a new object close to the spaceplane. China has not released any updates on the object or purpose of the spaceplane, with some speculating that the object is a small satellite to monitor the spaceplane. 

Saudi Arabia: NASA has confirmed that two astronauts from Saudi Arabia will travel to the ISS as part of a private mission run by Axiom Space early next year. The two astronauts are yet to be publicly announced but are reportedly in training for the upcoming mission 

United Kingdom Launch Site: Small launch vehicle developer Orbex has announced that is has the necessary agreements to begin construction of a launch site in northern Scotland. The facility will be able to launch Orbex’s small launch vehicle, with SIAA member Jacobs to serve as the prime contractor for spaceport construction. The company plans to host up to 12 launches a year, with the first launch planned to take place within the next 12 months. 

Space Debris to Fall to Earth: After the successful launch of the third module of China’s Tiangong space station, the core stage of the Long March 5B rocket will make an uncontrolled re-entry into the Earth’s atmosphere in the coming days. While the risk to humans is negligible (6 per 10 trillion) multiple organisations are currently tracking the debris to predict possible re-entry points.  

SpaceX: This week SpaceX launched its Falcon Heavy rocket carrying multiple classified payloads into geostationary orbit for the US Space Force. This is the first Falcon Heavy launch since June 2019. Space X has further announced plans to launch its Starship vehicle as early as next month, which will be used for future Artemis 3 crewed missions to the surface of the moon. 

Industry Opportunities

Deloitte Gravity Challenge 05: Application Deadline Extended

Due to innovator demand, SIAA Foundation member Deloitte has extended applications for the Gravity Challenge 05. The Gravity Challenge features seven challenger providers seeking a range of space technology solutions. One challenger is SIAA member Amazon Web Services who are seeking a solution to utilise cloud technologies to monitor and intercept malicious activity in development and operations in space launch, communications and operational missions. Applications close on 6 November.

Apply for Gravity 05 here 

Exhibit on the NSW Government Stand at Avalon 2023: Applications Open Now 

SIAA Foundation member NSW Government is seeking applications from NSW defence, aerospace, and space businesses to be part of the NSW Government stand at the 2023 Avalon Aerospace & Defence Exposition and Australian International Airshow. Held from 28 February to 5 March 2023, businesses that join the NSW Government stand will be able to showcase goods, services, technologies and solutions to both domestic and international representatives. Participants will further have their business name and/or logo on stand graphics and feature in NSW Government marketing and collateral.

Find out more information here 

2023 Space4Women Mentorship Program: Mentor Applications Open 

UNOOSA has launched the 2023 Space4Women Mentorship Program. The program matches leaders and professionals working in the space industry with women seeking a career in the space sector or in STEM related subjects. The Program is currently seeking prospective mentors, with mentors that participate in the program having the opportunity to help mentees succeed, grow their professional networks and develop their coaching skills. Applications for mentors close on 14 November.

Apply to be a mentor here 

Job Opportunities

View new job postings on SIAA’s Southern Space Jobs Board to see what job opportunities are available in the space industry. See new jobs from SIAA members HEO Robotics, Space Machines Company, Spire Global and Av-Comm Space & Defence. 

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

Upcoming Events

Space Hub Connect 

When: 16 November 5-7:30pm 

Where: Cicada Innovations 

SIAA member Cicada Innovations will hold its Space Hub Connect event later this month where attendees will hear from two space entrepreneurs; Dr Annie Handmer from HEO Robotics and Matt Ryall from Mawson Rovers. The pair will discuss their diverse pathways to building a space business and explore the rising career opportunities in the Australian space industry. 

Register for Space Hub Connect here 

ActInSpace event 

When: 18-19 November 

The University of South Australia’s Innovation and Collaboration Centre will host its space innovation competition, ActInSpace, later this month. Sponsored by Accenture and the Australian Space Agency, along with SmartSatCRC and the Southern Australian Space Industry Association, this event allows participants to think outside the box to solve space challenges. In groups of two-to-five, competitors will spend 24-hours solving a real-world space challenge. Once time has lapsed, all teams present their solution to a panel of judges. The winning solution will then progress to the international final in Cannes, France, with participants able to meet key industry players on a global scale. 

Register for ActInSpace here 

HEO Robotics CEO Presentation  

When: 16 November 10:30- 11 am AEDT 

SIAA member HEO Robotics’ CEO Will Crowe will give a virtual presentation as part of the company’s Supplier Day. The presentation will demonstrate the partnership opportunities that HEO Robotics has available to both existing and new partners.

Register for the HEO Robotics presentation here 

SIAA Member Profile: Hypersonix Launch Systems

Hypersonix Launch Systems ('Hypersonix') is an Aerospace engineering design and build company specialised in scramjet engines and hypersonic vehicles. The company has developed a hydrogen powered SPARTAN scramjet which has zero CO2 emissions. The Hypersonix team is based across Australia, with the Engineering team in Brisbane and the Corporate team in Sydney. The company also has a satellite office in Munich, Germany.  

Hypersonix recently won their first award and was recognised as 'Aerospace Business of the Year 2022' at the Defence Conncect Australian Defence Industry Awards in Canberra. Last night, at the Manufacturers Monthly Endeavour Awards, Hypersonix won 'Technology application of the year' and 'Manufacturer of the year' awards for their 3D-printed SPARTAN scramjet engine.  

The current focus for Hypersonix is project DART AE, a fully 3D printed hypersonic vehicle produced out of high temperature alloys that flies at a speed of up to Mach 7 and will launch in the first quarter of 2024. The funding of the build and first launch is covered by the $8M Modern Manufacturing Initiative (MMI) Defence grant awarded to Hypersonix this year.  

Another project the company is working on is the high temperature composite version of DART and its airframes. This project is funded by the $2.95 million Cooperative Research Centres Project (CRC-P) grant together with Hypersonix project partners SIAA member Romar Engineering, LSM Advanced Composites and the University of Southern Queensland. 

 Join the Southern Space mailing list by emailing operations@spaceindustry.com.au

Header Image Credit: "International Space Station Over Earth (NASA, 08/19/07)" (NASA.GOV)