NT space industry taking off with deal signed between European company and Territory tech centre

A TERRITORY technology centre has inked a deal capturing a place in the NT’s emerging space industry.

Alice Springs’ Centre for Appropriate Technology has signed a new deal, marking a milestone in the Territory’s emerging space industry.

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ALICE Springs’ Centre for Appropriate Technology has inked a deal capturing a place in the Territory’s emerging space industry.

European space launch company, ArianeGroup, yesterday announced CfAT will host its GEOTracker® station at its premises. Alice Springs’ clear skies provide the perfect conditions to operate ArianeGroup technology, which will automatically track satellites using an optical telescope.

The GeoTracker will consist of multiple instruments which will be encased in a three-metre tall clamshell observatory dome.

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The structure will complement the existing Geoscience Australia satellite ground station and the recently announced Real Time Earth satellite ground station – a commercial venture between Viasat and CfAT Satellite Enterprises.

Centre for Appropriate Technology chief executive officer Peter Renehan said the project shows innovative ways of developing projects that connect people across the world

“These strategic opportunities need to be embraced by Aboriginal businesses such as CfAT,” he said.

The Territory Government actively facilitated the connection between CfAT and the ArianeGroup.

Currently, 23 local jobs are supported through CfAT, with the more predicted with future works.

This includes:

■ CfAT developing the site;

■ Procuring the observatory dome;

■ Installing the equipment;

■ Providing the internet connection; and

■ Facilities maintenance and hosting management.

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CfAT has a large indigenous workforce and says it is aiming to leverage the new ArianeGroup agreement to develop local capability in technical construction and facility maintenance.

This is the second commercial satellite ground infrastructure project CfAT has successfully secured for its Alice Springs site.