UK-based company Goonhilly Earth Station has joined Airbus, BAE, Harris, Thales, and others, in forming a consortium to back Australia’s proposed SmartSat CRC (Co-operative Research Centre) that now totals 68 members.
SmartSat CRC is a proposed space research initiative which plans to drive the Australian space industry through satellite technologies and analytics. The consortium aims to enhance Australia’s connectivity, navigation and monitoring capabilities, with the aim to catapult Australia’s space industry into a leadership position in several areas including intelligent satellite systems, advanced communications, and earth observation driven data analytics.
Led by the University of South Australia (UniSA), Airbus Defence and Space and Australian defence specialist Nova Systems, in partnership with the South Australian Space Industry Centre, the plan for SmartSat CRC was developed in early 2018. The consortium, having successfully submitted the application to the Australian government, is now preparing for the final stage in the legal process.
Professor Andy Koronios, Dean of Industry and Enterprise at UniSA, said: “With its technological and commercial expertise, as well as its expanding capabilities and resources, we are confident that Goonhilly will make a significant contribution to the SmartSat CRC.”
Dr Bob Gough, Head of Business Development, Australia & Asia-Pacific at Goonhilly, commented, “The space industry is a global one and Goonhilly is well poised to support Australian organisations as they look to extend their reach. Establishing a technical and operational presence in Australia is essential for Goonhilly as we fulfil our goal to create a worldwide deep space network; joining the SmartSat CRC perfectly complements this objective.”
“With the global industry leaders and world-class university researchers in SmartSat CRC, there is huge potential to develop new space industry opportunities that benefit all of Australia and the broader Asia Pacific,” Gough added.
