Raphael Thys
The Swinburne Space Technology and Industry Institute will be critical to the success of the new Australian Space Manufacturing Network (ASMN), which has been awarded $52 million in Federal Government co-funding as part of the Modern Manufacturing Initiative – Collaboration (MMI-C) scheme.
Swinburne is the only Victorian-based university in the $157 million space manufacturing network and will play an important role in connecting Victorian industry partners to the advanced manufacturing national supply chain to be established by the initiative.
Led by Gilmour Space Technologies, with backing from the Queensland Government and support from over 30 leading space manufacturers and partners, the ASMN will establish three new space facilities:
- a common test and manufacturing facility, enabling members to advance their space research and technology development at lower cost
- an advanced manufacturing facility for building commercial rockets and satellites, anchored by Gilmour Space
- an orbital spaceport at Abbot Point near Bowen in North Queensland, that will help bring many of these products to space.
Director of Swinburne’s Space Technology and Industry Institute, Professor Alan Duffy, congratulated Gilmour Space Technologies on the successful bid and thanked the Federal Government for the co-investment in the project.
“Swinburne is excited to be a founding member and the lead university representative from Victoria on this ambitious network to support and drive capabilities for Australia’s burgeoning space industry,” said Professor Alan Duffy.
CEO of Gilmour Space, Adam Gilmour, said the network would help grow the industry and deliver real civil, commercial and defence benefits across Australia.
“This is a big deal for our Australian Space Manufacturing Network (ASMN) partners, and for commercial space in Australia,” he said.
“This co-funding will provide timely support for emerging space manufacturers to develop and mature significant space capabilities in Australia. Our ASMN partners intend to leverage the MMIC grant to engage in the full spectrum of space activities, from research and development to advanced manufacturing and launch,” he said.
The project is due for completion in 2024.
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