South Australian-based satellite manufacturer Inovor Technologies has signed a Joint Development Agreement with two Japanese partners to advance satellite technology for maritime domain awareness (MDA).
Signed at the International Astronautical Congress in Sydney earlier this month, the agreement with Japanese companies IHI Corporation (IHI) and Meisei Electric Co., Ltd (Meisei), will see them working together to develop and demonstrate small satellite technology to support maritime monitoring across Australia and Japan.
Inovor will be responsible for overall project management in Australia, as well as the development of the satellite bus; assembly, integration and testing of the satellite bus and mission module; transportation of the satellite for launch and satellite operations.
IHI will oversee the project management in Japan and possible future launch services via the company’s subsidiary, IHI Aerospace.
With extensive experience in the development of observation technology and mission instruments, Meisei will be responsible for the design of the satellite’s mission module.
CEO of Inovor, Dr Matt Tetlow, explained that the agreement is a milestone not only for Inovor, but also for the state’s growing space industry.
“By working closely with IHI and Meisei, we are not only developing a new satellite for MDA but also establishing an enduring international partnership that will accelerate technological innovation and create opportunities for both our workforce and state,” Dr Tetlow said.
Executive Officer and Vice President of Aero Engine, Space & Defense Business Area of IHI Corporation, Dr Chiyuki Nakamata, echoed this sentiment, expressing that the collaboration would deepen the bilateral relationship between both countries.
“Through this partnership, we aim to enhance Earth observation technology from space and contribute to strengthening MDA capabilities in both Japan and Australia,” Dr Nakamata said.
President of Meisei Electric Co, Mr Masanobu Natsuake, said the company was committed to developing new sensors for the satellite project to achieve global outcomes.
“For Meisei, this collaboration with Inovor is considered as an important opportunity to apply the results of our research and development into practical, high-performing satellite sensors,” he said.
This announcement builds upon an earlier partnership with IHI to utilise Inovor’s Australis Bus small satellite technology to enhance the security of maritime operations and surveillance. The partnership was enabled as a result of funding provided through the South Australia Government’s Economic Recovery Fund, which aimed to accelerate the development of infrastructure required by Inovor to grow from building CubeSats to larger ESPA class satellites.
“We are grateful for the support of the South Australian Government through the Economic Recovery Fund, which has made this collaboration possible,” added Dr Tetlow.
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Image: (L-R), Campbell Pegg, Director Space, at South Australian Space Industry Centre (SASIC), Mr Masanobu Natsuake, President of Meisei Electric Co., Ltd, Dr. Matt Tetlow, CEO of Inovor Technologies, Catherine Roberts AO,CSC, Advisory Board member for Defence SA, Dr. Chiyuki Nakamata, Executive Officer, Vice President of Aero Engine, Space & Defense Business Area of IHI Corporation.
