Space manufacturing is set to take-off in South Australia following the announcement the state will be home to Australia’s first dedicated space manufacturing hub.

The establishment of the Australian Space Park will boost space manufacturing capability and capacity in the country, and further strengthen South Australia’s thriving space ecosystem, which already includes the Australian Space Agency and Mission Control Centre.

Four leading space companies – Fleet Space Technologies, Q-CTRL, ATSpace and Alauda Aeronautics – have already secured their place in the purpose-built facility, which will provide a vital manufacturing link to the local space industry value chain.

The facility will facilitate collaboration and support the production of small satellites and their payloads, rockets, electrical vertical take-off and landing vehicles (eVTOL), and supporting componentry and technical systems.

The South Australia Government has committed $20 million in funding towards the hub, which is anticipated to create approximately 220 highly skilled space industry roles within the first two years of operation.

Through the hub, Australia’s space community will be able to deliver the entire space value chain, including the design, manufacture, launch and mission control of NewSpace capabilities.

Flavia Tata Nardini, Co-Founder and CEO of Fleet Space Technologies, on behalf of the industry consortium, said the Australian Space Park will be an important centre to grow not only South Australia’s sovereign capability, but also Australia’s growing reputation for industry capability within the global space sector and advanced aerospace sectors.

“We are delighted to be part of a facility that is the first of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere,” Ms Tata Nardini said.

“Indeed, we are proud to be part of South Australia’s growing status as a centre of excellence for space technology on the global stage.

“The opportunity to collaborate with leading minds in our field in a dedicated facility like this will accelerate progress for our entire industry.”

In addition to Fleet Space Technologies, NSW-based space tech company, Q-CTRL, ATSpace – a new Australian company – and Alauda Aeronautics are partnering and co-investing in the Australian Space Park to further develop the space value chain to meet the needs of satellite and rocket manufacturers.

The Australian Space Park aligns with Australia’s space strategy that aims to triple the space sector’s contribution to GDP to over $12 billion per annum and create up to an additional 20,000 jobs by 2030.

As the centrepiece of the nation’s space endeavours and building upon South Australia’s strong starting position in the NewSpace economy, the state is presently targeting an annual growth rate in the space sector of 5.8 per cent over the next decade.

For further information on the Australian Space Park click here.