Fleet Space Technologies to open Mission Control Centre in Adelaide

ADELAIDE is set to become home to a space mission control centre to support tiny satellites — as the state takes its next step forward in the Australian space race.

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ADELAIDE is set to become home to a space mission control centre to support tiny satellites.

Fleet Space Technologies wants to “put South Australian on the map as a space hub” as the firm aims to put 100 shoebox-size nanosatellites into orbit this year to connect the “Internet of Things”.

The IOT is able to monitor things including livestock, water, and supply chains.

The 17 new jobs will double Fleet’s existing staff.

Treasurer Tom Koutsantonis announced on Wednesday that Fleet has won a $500,000 Future Jobs Fund grant, which Fleet will match with their own $500,000.

Fleet chief executive officer Flavia Tata Nardini said the company had global ambitions but wanted to contribute to the local economy.

“This grant enables us to create technical jobs that will grow the space industry here in Adelaide,” she said.

“We want to put SA on the map as a space hub ... it really is an exciting time to be a space business in SA.”

Mr Koutsantonis said innovative companies like Fleet were creating “exciting” employment opportunities that would keep young people in the state.

“This is a fantastic project that will strengthen SA’s burgeoning space industry and attract the best and brightest to our state,” he said.