An artist’s impression of the Australian Space Park.
A new Australian Space Park, likely to be situated at Adelaide Airport, has been given a $20 million boost by the South Australian Government, which is pitching it as Australia’s first dedicated space manufacturing hub.
Four companies have already signed up to base manufacturing operations at the Park — Fleet Space Technologies, Q-CTRL, ATSpace and Alauda Aeronautics.
The purpose-built facility will have a focus on collaboration and production of small satellites and their payloads, rockets, electrical vertical take-off and landing vehicles (eVTOL), and supporting componentry and technical systems.
Premier Steven Marshall said the state government will contribute $20 million into the Park, which is expected to create approximately 220 skilled space industry jobs within its first two years of operation.
“My Government has unashamedly adapted a pro-growth, pro-economy agenda and transforming South Australia into the undisputed Space State is a key part of future proofing the jobs-economy for our children in the decades to come,” Premier Marshall said.
“The creation of the Australian Space Park signals our commitment to the South Australian and Australian space sector by bridging the gap between research and development and prototyping to production at scale.”
The Premier said that the Hub aligns with Australia’s space strategy, which aims to triple the space sector’s contribution to GDP to over $12 billion per annum and create up to an additional 20,000 jobs by 2030.
Flavia Tata Nardini, Co-Founder and CEO of Fleet Space Technologies, speaking on behalf of the industry consortium, said the Park will not only grow South Australia’s capabilities, but also boost Australia’s growing reputation for industry capability within the global space and advanced aerospace sectors.
“Indeed, we are proud to be part of South Australia’s growing status as a centre of excellence for space technology on the global stage,” Ms Tata Nardini said.
“The opportunity to collaborate with leading minds in our field in a dedicated facility like this will accelerate progress for our entire industry.”
The consortium has identified Adelaide Airport as an ideal location for the Park, given its proximity to traditional aerospace companies, the central business district and Lot Fourteen.
“In addition to our central location, we offer suitable land opportunities both for the hub as well as room for growth and to attract like-minded businesses keen to play a role in the growing space sector,” said Adelaide Airport Managing Director, Mark Young.
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