Leading international space players will strengthen ties with South Australia’s most innovative start-ups and companies at today’s South Australia Space Forum in Adelaide.
The 5th South Australia Space Forum, hosted by the South Australian Space Industry Centre (SASIC) at the Adelaide Convention Centre, is set to attract over 300 local and international guests, including space leaders, entrepreneurs and researchers.
South Australian Premier Steven Marshall will speak at the event, along with a number of high-profile international speakers, including former NASA astronaut Pamela Melroy and representatives from the UAE Space Agency, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Airbus and Italy’s e-GEOS.
Premier Steven Marshall said that South Australia has a proud history of space-related work and a strong advanced manufacturing and technology skills base, making us ideally placed to play a lead role in this important industry.
“The South Australian Government is committed to ensuring this state will be a key and increasingly prominent player in the space industry nationally and internationally,” said Premier Marshall
“Growing a space industry and capturing the opportunities in space is a priority for my government, which is why I have taken personal responsibility for this as Premier.
SASIC Chief Executive Richard Price said the forum highlights South Australia’s entrepreneurial space industry and research capabilities, while helping local companies build relationships with the global space community.
“It’s tremendous to see such a high level of interest in the South Australia Space Forum and our growing space industry,” he said.
“It’s an exciting time for Australia’s space industry, particularly with the Australian Government close to releasing the findings of its review into the nation’s space capabilities.
“Our State is a leader in the growth and development of this booming space industry, which will help grow our economy, creating investment opportunities and new industries.
“In the last year alone, over $52 million of investment has been committed to South Australia’s space industry through venture capital, universities, local industry and government.”
The forum includes a full day of talks and presentations from local and international space organisations, with a focus on current and future trends in space technologies and research, including intellectual property (IP).
It will provide an overview of South Australia’s bid for a new cooperative research centre for space innovation and research, the SmartSat CRC, along with SASIC’s program to support entrepreneurship in the space industry through the $4 million Space Innovation Fund.
The fund includes the Space Incubator and Space Accelerator Programs, which provide up to $900,000 annually over the next four years, along with Space Scholarships up to a total of $100,000 every year.
