New Australian Space Industry Hub set to launch | tickerVIEWS

Australia’s prominent RMIT University will launch a new Space Industry Hub. The Hub’s aim is to boost local researchers and organisations into increased global space technology opportunities.

Space Industry Hub will launch expertise into global markets

The Victorian Government has supplied a $1 million support package for the Hub.  SmartSat CRC, a space research centre will also donate a further $1 million, to show their support. Tech giant, Amazon Web Services, is set to give significant technical and training contributions, as well as FrontierSI, a Research Centre for Spatial Information.

Space industry markets are booming in Australia and more broadly in the US and Europe. The funding for the Space Industry Hub will develop multiple flagship research projects to connect local potential in the space sector.

The Hub will also host the Victorian Node of the SmartSat CRC; a national group of industry and research organisations that are establishing cutting edge space technologies.

A breakthrough for Australia’s space innovation

Professor Aleksandar Subic is RMIT’s Deputy Vice Chancellor for STEM (sciences, engineering, computing technologies and health and medical sciences) and Vice President of Digital Innovation. Professor Subic says the Hub is a place for industry collaboration and innovation.

“The RMIT Space Industry Hub will be a launch pad and an industrial solutions incubator to support collaboration and innovation for Victoria’s space industry growth,” 

“At the core of this growth are digital technologies and leveraging the state’s strong capabilities in advanced manufacturing.”

Professor Aleksandar Subic, RMIT University

Professor Aleksandar Subic, RMIT University

Real-time satellite data for industry collaborators

The Hub will give access to real-time satellite data for industry collaborators, through AWS Ground Station. The AWS Ground Station is a fully managed service that lets you control satellite communications, process data, and scale your operations.

Satellites are used for a variety reasons, including weather forecasting, surface imaging, communications, and video broadcasts. Ground stations form the core of global satellite networks.

AWS Country Director in Australia and New Zealand, Iain Rouse, says this will provide new market opportunities for Australian businesses.

“When space is made accessible and cost-effective, there is no limit to what can be accomplished. AWS is excited to help the Space Industry Hub accelerate their research, innovation, and capability development in space,”

Iain Rouse, AWS

Australia is becoming a more prominent leader within the space economy. CEO of SmartSat CRC, Andy Koronios says this will move Australia up the ranks in the space technology sector.

“We are delighted that the Victorian Government has made this investment, which with SmartSat co-investment will help spark innovation and develop technologies to leverage the huge opportunities the space economy offers.” 

“SmartSat CRC nodes around Australia will provide opportunities for joint projects to leverage national and international space collaborative initiatives such as NASA’s Moon to Mars Exploration Program, UK Space Bridge, state government space industry investments and CRC-P grants.”

Andy Koronios, SmartSat CRC

This Hub will provide Victoria’s world-leading research and solution providers, with the opportunities of the broader global space industry. The Hub will utilise RMIT’s existing facilities, services and research centres and its innovation networks through RMIT Europe.

RMIT has a strong reputation in data science, space engineering and geospatial science.

See RMIT University for further information on the new and exciting Hub.