Australia’s Chief Defence Scientist Professor Tanya Monro has announced that Airbus has been selected as the strategic partner for Defence’s Resilient Multi-mission Space STaR Shot – a strategic research program established to develop future space capabilities for the Australian Defence Force (ADF).
An experienced satellite developer and integrator, Airbus Defence and Space will work with Defence to deliver the ambitious Defence space research program which is aimed at ensuring Australian war fighters have assured access to satellite services.
“By partnering with Airbus, we will fast-track the development of critical satellite technologies for the ADF, and ensure that our war fighters have ongoing access to resilient and trusted communication, intelligence and surveillance services,” Monro said.
Airbus was selected as the preferred strategic partner by a panel of experts from Defence and the Australian Space Agency. It will be supported by three Australian industry partners: Inovor Technologies, Shoal Group and Deloitte, as well as academic partners and a range of Australian small-to-medium enterprises.
“This is a true collaboration between government, industry and academia that will help position our growing Australian space sector to deliver future sovereign space technologies and operational capabilities,” Monro said.
Planning has already commenced for two experimental satellite missions. Defence has purchased two Airbus Arrow 150 satellite buses valued at over $20 million. These satellite buses will be outfitted with payloads and technologies developed by Australian industry and academia.
“The Arrow satellites provide some of the earliest possible opportunities to take Australian-developed Defence payloads into space,” Munro said. “As our domestic space sector matures, we will use locally designed and built satellites that are expected to be the most ambitious satellites ever designed and built in Australia.”
In total, the Airbus partnership represents an investment of more than $40 million in satellite technologies. “Self-reliance in space technologies is critical if we are to ensure the defence and security of the country,” Monro said.
The signing of the strategic partnership augments an ongoing strategic relationship between Defence and Airbus under a Strategic Research and Development Alliance.
Richard Franklin, Managing Director of Airbus Defence and Space UK said: “Partnering with Australia for this RMS STaR Shot agreement demonstrates our firm commitment to further enhancing the sovereign space capability and expertise of the Australian Space sector. We will be working hand in hand with our Australia partners and Defence to identify the key skills, technologies and strategic advantages that this partnership can deliver to enable Australia to become a global space player in the next decade.”
Airbus is one of the world’s leading space companies and has operated the UK Ministry of Defence’s (MOD) Skynet 5 military satellite communications (milsatcom) programme since 2003. Providing the UK MOD with a suite of highly robust, reliable and secure military communications services, supporting global operations, Airbus has been involved in all Skynet phases since 1974, designed and built four Skynet 5 satellites and is currently building the next generation milsatcom spacecraft Skynet 6A.
The Skynet 5 programme has reduced or removed many of the technical and service risks for the MOD, whilst ensuring unrivalled secure satcoms and innovation to the UK forces. Through the many years of delivering an exceptionally reliable Skynet service, Airbus has significantly extended the lifespan of the Skynet satellites many years beyond their design life, offering significant additional value for money and capability to the UK.
Airbus has been designing, manufacturing and operating satellites and space systems for more than 50 years covering everything from Earth observation, navigation, and science to telecommunications and Space situational awareness. Airbus has delivered 50 Earth observation satellite systems since 1986, which have accumulated more than 650 years of in-orbit experience. 30 Earth observation systems are currently in development.
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