SA at cusp of unlocking space frontier success for all

THE number of space technology organisations in SA has more than doubled to at least 60 in less than two years, building a “vibrant ecosystem” that could unlock global competitiveness for Australian companies.

THE number of space technology organisations in SA has more than doubled to at least 60 in less than two years, building a “vibrant ecosystem” that could unlock global competitiveness for Australian companies.

South Australian Space Industry Centre director Nicola Sasanelli said “downstream space” opportunities were available for companies, including traditional agriculture and mining entities, to benefit from the use of space technology.

“Global space activity now is very different from what it was 20 years ago. Now 80 per cent of the investment is private and only 20 per cent by governments,” Mr Sasanelli said.

“With companies like Fleet and Myriota and other start-ups, we have an expansion in capability to bring cost-competitiveness on a broader scale,” he said.

Former NASA Astronaut and Space Shuttle commander Pamela Ann Melroy, who now works with SA defence and technology company Nova Systems, said Australia can “forge ahead” to build on the changing space landscape.

“Australia has the opportunity to not worry about the process or infrastructure side of things (as in the past).

“Today, the lower cost and availability of technologies is making more data and fundamental capabilities accessible to companies,” she said.

Italy-born Flavia Tata-Nardini, a former rocket scientist and founder of SA-based Fleet Technologies, which is set to launch two satellites in August and October this year, described the current excitement within the industry as a “country-changing moment”.

File photo of Flavia Tata Nardini from Fleet Space with a nano satellite prototype. (AAP Image/MATT LOXTON).

“Space is a high-tech industry for any country. And when you come in after the others, you have some advantages that could help you leapfrog,” she said.

The rising optimism comes as Australian Space Agency chief Megan Clark, on Monday, outlined the Federal Government’s vision for a $12 billion industry with 20,000 jobs.

For now, the agency is due to officially open on July 1 in Canberra, but the announcement triggered a race among the states for a local space headquarters.

Premier Steven Marshall and Opposition Leader Peter Malinauskas have pledged to work together to make sure SA is at the centre of the plans.

The Federal Budget earmarked about $300 million, most of which will be to set up world-leading satellite technology, while $41 million will be for the Agency.

Mr Sasanelli, Ms Melroy and Ms Tata-Nardini will be discussing the opening up of the space economy at an American Chamber of Commerce in Australia (SA) event on Friday.