On 27 February, Airbus and Leonardo Australia joined the government’s SmartSat Cooperative Research Centre (Smartsat CRC), which officially opened the week before last.
SmartSat CRC is a consortium of universities, research organisations and industry that has been funded by the government to develop know-how and technologies in advanced satellite telecommunications and IoT connectivity, intelligent satellite systems and Earth observation next generation data services. In joining SmartSat CRC, participants agree to team-up according to each member’s expertise and interest in a variety of projects.
It has become Australia’s largest space industry-research collaboration, having already raised AU$245 million from more than 100 organisations, the Australian Government and industry funding.
“By supporting the Smartsat CRC as a core partner, we want to assist Australia in enhancing its space capabilities and competitiveness,” Thomas Pfister, Head of Airbus Defence and Space, Australasia, said. “Our investment and first class knowledge sharing will ensure opportunities are created for the next generation of space companies across Australia.”
“As an Australian, I am totally committed to growing our company into a valuable local industrial asset contributing in knowledge and employment,” Michael Lenton, Chairman of Leonardo Australia, said. “The SmartSat CRC is a powerful vehicle for helping position Australian industry and the Australian Space Agency in the centre of the global space scenario. Leonardo is proud to be part of it.”
