Several Australian companies signed contracts recently to beef up the country’s space programs and Defence is also calling on companies to develop an innovative ‘space qualified’ Radio Frequency (RF) sensor payload as part of the Space Capabilities priority area. Boeing, Saber, Gilmour Space Technologies and Northrop Grumman all signed deals in various areas of space technology.
Boeing Defense, Space & Security is collaborating with Sydney-based Saber Astronautics to deliver a proof of concept for a sophisticated diagnostic technology to support its satellite programs. Using advanced artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, Saber has developed technology to predict the impact of unexpected events and erratic space weather on spacecraft, enabling operators to quickly address issues when they are encountered. This capability has been proven on smaller, less complex spacecraft and Boeing’s investment will enable Saber to investigate the technology’s application to Boeing 702 Geostationary (GEO) satellites.
“Satellites are incredibly complex platforms operating in a remote environment, which can make it difficult to diagnose and address anomalies on-orbit,” said Boeing Defence Australia Director of Emerging Markets Matt Buckle. “The proof of concept will explore the potential for Saber’s technology to monitor changes in the state of the satellite, hypothesise the most probable cause of the problem and predict how the satellite will respond in specific situations. We look forward to establishing an ongoing relationship with Saber to further develop a diagnostic capability for GEO satellites which has the potential to significantly prolong the life of spacecraft through the early detection, analysis and quick implementation of countermeasures. This collaboration is also a demonstrable achievement under Boeing’s statement of intent with the Australian Space Agency to invest in space research and development and innovation,” said Buckle.
The technology is a key capability for JP9102, the Australian Defence SATCOM System, which requires the use of machine learning to increase the speed, quality and agility of the conduct of SATCOM Operations as compared to legacy systems.
“Boeing is interested in leveraging our spacecraft expertise along with our unique algorithms to predict anomalies and diagnose spacecraft issues more quickly on-orbit. Applying machine learning to diagnostics will reduce operator workload, and can improve spacecraft longevity and performance,” said Saber Astronautics CEO Dr Jason Held. “Being a part of Boeing’s supply chain is a great opportunity for us to apply our work to support larger and more complex missions and we are excited to be a part of this family.”
Meanwhile, Australian rocket company, Gilmour Space Technologies, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with global aerospace giant Northrop Grumman to work on developing sovereign space capabilities in Australia. “Northrop Grumman aims to lead industry support in developing Australian sovereign space capabilities to help meet the needs of defence and realise the Australian Space Agency vision,” said Chris Deeble, chief executive, Northrop Grumman Australia. “Our approach is consistent with the Australian government’s recently announced Modern Manufacturing Strategy, to make space hardware in Australia while securing sovereign capabilities in priority areas that includes defence and space.”
As an initial task under the MOU, Northrop Grumman will join Gilmour Space as an industry partner on a previously announced Cooperative Research Centre Project (CRC-P) to develop composite rocket tanks for low-cost space transport. The CRC-P, which includes Griffith University and Etamax Engineering, will manufacture composite tanks up to two metres in diameter and trial them in rocket flights, in an effort to reduce weight and increase reliability.
Gilmour Space CEO Adam Gilmour said the company is excited to work with Northrop Grumman on this opportunity. “It is great to gain the support of Northrop Grumman who, through this investment, have further demonstrated their commitment to grow Australian space capability.” The next five years will be a critical time for Australia to develop a world-class sovereign space industry. “With the right support, we will see innovative, well capitalised, and highly capable Australian space companies like Gilmour Space emerge as future Australian space primes. We look forward to working with Northrop Grumman as we work to launch our first commercial payloads to orbit in 2022,” Gilmour said.
Northrop Grumman aims to lead industry support in developing Australian sovereign space capabilities to help meet the needs of defence and realise the Australian Space Agency vision,” said Chris Deeble, chief executive, Northrop Grumman Australia. “Our approach is consistent with the Australian government’s recently announced Modern Manufacturing Strategy, to make space hardware in Australia while securing sovereign capabilities in priority areas that includes defence and space.”
As an initial task under the MOU, Northrop Grumman will join Gilmour Space as an industry partner on a previously announced Cooperative Research Centre Project (CRC-P) to develop composite rocket tanks for low cost space transport. The CRC-P, which includes Griffith University and Etamax Engineering, will manufacture composite tanks up to two metres in diameter and trial them in rocket flights, in an effort to reduce weight and increase reliability.
Gilmour Space CEO Adam Gilmour said the company is excited to work with Northrop Grumman on this opportunity. “It is great to gain the support of Northrop Grumman who, through this investment, have further demonstrated their commitment to grow Australian space capability.”
Northrop Grumman recently sought expressions of interest from a range of Australian and New Zealand industry members, through the Industry Capability Network Gateway Portal, which included small businesses, with the goal to identify and collaborate with industry to develop Australian space capabilities.
Finally, Australian government officials said the Next Generation Technologies Fund (NGTF) is seeking submissions to develop an innovative ‘space qualified’ Radio Frequency (RF) sensor payload as part of the Space Capabilities priority area. Minister for Defence Industry, Melissa Price said the NGTF Space Capabilities priority area is designed to develop and demonstrate high risk, high payoff space technology for Defence. “The NGTF will contribute up to $6.6 million in funding and support for ideas and proposals from industry and academia to identify and pursue research, design and testing aspects of any sensor payload,” Price said. “Each proposal will be evaluated and assessed to determine the most appropriate funding mechanism and amounts that best facilitates working together on the resulting research activity. This initiative is central to Defence’s Resilient Multi-mission Space Science, Technology and Research (STaR) Shot program, and the broader Defence Science and Technology strategy.”
Proposals are expected to span over a multi-year timeframe, with progress assessed on an annual basis. The call for submissions will be released on AusTender in the first quarter of 2021. Interested companies can find more information here.
For Editorial Inquiries Contact:
Editor Kym Bergmann at kym.bergmann@venturamedia.net
For Advertising Inquiries Contact:
Director of Sales Graham Joss at graham.joss@venturamedia.net
