Optus, Inovor Technologies join forces for satellite launch project

An Optus-led group including SA company Inovor Technologies has unveiled plans to build and launch a new satellite designed to improve space communications and observation.

An Optus-led consortium including Adelaide company Inovor Technologies has unveiled plans to launch a new low earth orbit satellite designed to enhance space-based communications and observation.

The consortium, which is targeting a spacecraft launch in early 2028, will host two pieces of equipment developed under the federal government’s iLAuNCH Trailblazer Universities Program, with the new satellite to be built by Inovor at the Lot Fourteen innovation precinct.

Optus intends to operate the spacecraft from its Belrose space operations centre in Sydney.

The first piece of hosted equipment, led by Optus in partnership with space imagery company HEO and the University of Southern Queensland, includes HEO’s new 20cm Adler imager – a specialised space telescope designed to take high resolution pictures of space objects.

Inovor Technologies chief executive Matthew Tetlow. Picture: Matt Turner

A second piece of hosted equipment, to be developed by the University of South Australia with support from the SmartSat CRC, will include a compact communication terminal to send and receive data to and from another satellite or a ground terminal.

Inovor Technologies chief executive Matthew Tetlow said the project would strengthen Australia’s space sovereignty by accelerating advanced satellite manufacturing, and in turn, creating highly skilled jobs in the industry.

“This project is a great example of industry, academia and government coming together to develop groundbreaking space technologies to catapult the Australian space sector forward,” he said.

“For Inovor Technologies, this represents a significant milestone in our strategy to build larger, more capable spacecraft using the success we’ve achieved on orbit as a foundation to deliver genuine Australian-made space capability.”

The project follows iLAuNCH’s recent partnership with Optus, The Australian National University and Leonardo UK to build compact, low-cost ground stations and miniaturised, low-power onboard terminals to improve space-to-earth communications.

Optus head of satellite and space systems Nick Leake said the telco was in discussions with other partners to explore additional opportunities to help develop future space capabilities.

“Connectivity continues to play a critical role in the Australian economy, whether that be through supporting small businesses in regional and remote towns or large enterprises with employees spread across the country, we must continue to explore new ways of delivering services that businesses rely on,” he said.

“By collaborating with Australia’s industry leaders across the public, private and academic sectors, we are able to further advance the use of technology to solve problems, fuel growth and define what’s next for the telco industry while supporting Australian businesses and Australian workers.”

The $370m Trailblazer Universities Program is designed to supercharge national innovation across six strategic sectors, including defence, space, clean energy and critical minerals.

It brings together academia and industry to collaborate on projects to drive commercialisation and build sovereign capabilities in emerging industries.

Originally published as Optus, Inovor Technologies join forces for satellite launch project