Airbus has announced it will form part of the Australian Space Park, based in Adelaide, to deliver Australian industry capabilities to produce large-scale satellites up to 300kg.
The global company, which employs 125,000 people around the world, says South Australia is the burgeoning hub for Australia’s space industry and is the natural choice for Airbus.
The Australian Space Park will be the nation’s first dedicated space manufacturing hub and, once in operation, will boost space manufacturing capability and capacity within a purpose-built facility.
At the heart of the Australian Space Park will be a Common User Facility, supported by both State and Federal Governments, that will be available to all those within the space sector.
Airbus Defence and Space Ltd managing director Richard Franklin yesterday signed a letter of intent committing to becoming part of the Australian Space Park.
Airbus will join other previous announced companies Fleet Space Technologies, Alauda Aeronautics, ATSpace and Q-CTRL at the Australian Space Park.
“Securing a global name like Airbus in South Australia is a significant coup for our growing space sector. Airbus’ involvement in the Australian Space Park will open a pipeline of opportunities for local manufacturers. The space industry offers huge potential for South Australia, as we attract more and more companies to our state we will continue to be at the forefront of supporting sovereign space capability which will enable the development, integration, assembly and testing of space hardware. “ said Premier of South Australia Peter Malinauskas.
“The Australian Space Park will help to support the national aim to triple space’s contribution to Gross Domestic Product to $12 billion by 2030. Having this company based here, assembling satellites of this size will be a huge step in terms of scale and sophistication of satellites being assembled in Australia.” said Nick Champion, Member of the South Australian House of Assembly.
“As the burgeoning hub for Australia’s space manufacturing industry, South Australia is the natural choice for Airbus to establish a dedicated satellite assembly and integration presence. Our vision for this facility is to provide a national asset to support the Australian Government’s wider strategic aspiration to build a sustainable space industry. We look forward to working closely with the Government of South Australia and industry to help lead this vision.” said Airbus Defence and Space Ltd managing director Richard Franklin.
