Australia’s Northern Territory Government & Darwin Innovation Hub sign MoU with Singapore’s SSTL, Cap Vista

Image courtesy of SSTL

On 19 November 2020, the Australia’s Northern Territory  Government and the Darwin Innovation Hub signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)  with Cap Vista Pte Ltd and Singapore Space & Technology Ltd (SSTL) for a strategic  partnership to collaborate on space activities through Project Cyclotron, Cap Vista and SSTL’s  joint venture-building programme for space and deep tech companies. 

Due to the Covid-19 restrictions, the successful signing ceremony took place over a hybrid  event; on-site in Australia, at the Darwin Innovation Hub and in Singapore, at the High  Commission of Australia, and virtually over Zoom. The Australian High Commissioner to  Singapore, His Excellency Bruce Gosper, hosted the signing event in Singapore, while the  First Secretary at the Singapore High Commission in Canberra, Abigail Ho, was a witness to  the signing event in Australia. 

The MoU aims to establish a strategic collaboration between Australia’s Northern Territory and  Project Cyclotron that could enable a two-way deal flow of space startups between Australia’s  Northern Territory and Singapore. Opportunities for collaboration include test-bedding and  market validation; launch of Singapore-built payloads and rockets from the Northern Territory’s  Arnhem Space Centre; and co-investment in innovative space and tech companies that add  value to the space supply chains in the respective locations. This MoU signing in the midst of  the global pandemic signifies both countries’ firm commitment to move ahead with this  international partnership in spite of these extraordinary circumstances. 

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Project Cyclotron focuses on building regional space and deep tech companies, by providing  them with highly customised support for commercial success, including potential investment,  business and technical insights, marketing platforms and resources and market access in Asia  Pacific. 

“As Space is a niche sector, SpaceTech companies require significant support to catalyse  their growth across various industry and geographical sectors. We are delighted to be  deepening our relationship with the Australian’s Northern Territory Government and Darwin  Innovation Hub to work together to collectively benefit the SpaceTech ecosystem in the Asia Pacific region”, said Chng Zhen Hao, CEO Cap Vista. 

“This collaboration with the Northern Territory Government and Darwin Innovation Hub is  valuable for our startups, who would benefit from connections to the Australian space industry  and physical sites to test their technologies. Project Cyclotron companies like Aliena, which is  developing ultra low power electric propulsion systems, is currently partnering with the Darwin  Innovation Hub. We also plan to collaborate on projects for other companies in the portfolio,  like Bifrost, which generates labelled synthetic data for AI training for geospatial companies. To be able to push this MOU through in the current COVID-19 climate speaks of our strongest  commitment to make the collaboration work” said Lynette Tan, Chief Executive of SSTL.

“Project Cyclotron recognises the aligned objectives of Singapore and the Northern Territory  Government to grow and strengthen the space industry in our region. The Northern Territory has geographic advantages for space activities and we are perfectly positioned to benefit from  the space economy and the jobs it will bring.” shared the Northern Territory Deputy Chief Minister, the Hon. Nicole Manison MLA. 

“Project Cyclotron will provide the Darwin Innovation Hub the high-level Government and  institutional framework needed to deliver more projects and private sector capital to the  Northern Territory space sector. It will provide capacity to build upon our established  investments; a co-investment with Cap Vista in the space propulsion company, Aliena, and  our venture capital investment in the Arnhem Space Centre. Both these projects are  tremendously exciting and position the Darwin Innovation Hub as a valuable new player in the  Asia Pacific space sector. We hope that Project Cyclotron will open doors for increased research and development and facilitate launch and testing opportunities for the Arnhem  Space Centre,” said Harley Paroulakis, CEO of Darwin Innovation Hub. 

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