$20m investment into the nation’s first dedicated space manufacturing hub

Adelaide Airport will soon be the site of Australia’s first dedicated “space park”, the premier says, and there are already futuristic firms buying in for big money.

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s a flying car that could soon be built on South Australian soil.

Premier Steven Marshall on Wednesday announced the development of the nation’s first dedicated space manufacturing hub — the Australian Space Park — which will become home to four companies; Fleet Space Technologies, Q-CTRL, ATSpace and Alauda Aeronautics.

The South Australian Government have agreed to a 10-year lease and contributing $20m towards the Silicon Valley-esque village at Adelaide Airport, which is anticipated to create 220 jobs in the first two years of operation.

Flying cars will soon be built on South Australia soil after SA government announce a dedicated space park. Picture: Airspeeder

Airspeeder and Alauda founder Matt Pearson said the new park would reflect the importance of South Australia’s rapidly growing space and aerospace industries.

“As our first electric flying car Grand Prix races draw nearer, we are proud to establish the world’s first purpose built facility for the production of these pioneering racing vehicles,” he said.

“South Australia is rapidly becoming a global centre of excellence in the development of advanced space and advanced aerospace technologies, placement at this facility will create world-class opportunities for collaboration with companies at the cutting-edge of their respective fields.

“This in turn will rapidly accelerate a mobility revolution and place Adelaide on the map as a world-class centre of innovation.”

South Australia will become home to the nation's first dedicated space manufacturing hub Picture: SA Government

South Australia will become home to the nation's first dedicated space manufacturing hub Picture: SA Government

South Australia will become home to the nation's first dedicated space manufacturing hub Picture: SA Government

On Friday, Fleet Space Technologies unveiled what is says is the world’s first entirely 3D-printed satellite, which it aims to put into orbit next year.

“It is Fleet Space’s vision that everyone, everywhere, has access to unlimited connectivity, no matter where they are on the globe; in cities, remote regions, on land or navigating the oceans,’’ Ms Tata Nardini said.

The Premier was proud to make the landmark announcment, further cementing the South Australia as the space state.

“South Australia is now the space capital of the country,” Mr Marshall said.

“We’re going to be build satellites, flying cars and it will keep young people who aspire to work in the space sector in South Australia.”