Image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/Sasa Kadrijevic
The NSW Government has provided $1.4 million in funding to establish the NSW Space Research Network, which will bring together universities, industry and government to tackle space challenges.
The Network will be co-hosted by The University of Sydney and the University of Technology Sydney and located at Tech Central in Sydney.
“The Network will build on NSW’s cutting-edge space R&D to support NSW enterprise to compete both locally and globally by leveraging significant domestic and international funding opportunities,” said Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney, Stuart Ayres.
“The Network will position NSW enterprise to compete in the space sector by connecting key stakeholders to undertake R&D activities with a focus on translation and impact,” added Network co-Director, Professor Stefan Williams of The University of Sydney.
The University of Sydney is currently involved with several projects in the Moon to Mars Demonstrator Feasibility Initiative, in collaboration with NASA.
These projects include research on drilling, inference and navigation for geological operations, and working with Abyss Solutions to develop robotics for asset inspection and repairs for spaceborne operations.
The University also leads an ARC Industry Transformation Centre focused on developing next generation satellite technologies and is a partner in the SmartSat CRC.
According to Professor Robert Fitch of UTS, fellow co-Director of the Network, the new group will help with common challenges encountered by industry, government and research organisations.
This includes trying to facilitate growth along the ‘innovation value chain,’ from research collaboration, to workforce and facilities, through to securing exports and investment.
“The new network will support collaboration between government and industry to deliver space-focused research outcomes and research translation for NSW, Australia and the world,” Professor Fitch said.
UTS is involved in space-related research in areas ranging from advanced satellite antenna systems to supporting technologies such as advanced manufacturing.
UTS also partners with space SMEs, such as Space Machines, to support the growth of the space industry locally by providing access to its state-of-the-art research and development facilities, including the UTS Tech Lab in Botany.
The NSW Space Research Network will also leverage other space-related activities in the precinct, including the NSW Node of the SmartSat CRC and the new National Space Industry Hub.
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