AUSTRALIAN SPACE SPOTLIGHT
Australia’s world-leading space facilities are strengthening national industries and providing the country with enhanced technological capabilities
Writer: Ed Budds | Project Manager: Deane Anderton
The value of the global space economy surpassed USD$600 billion in 2023, and many experts predict it could be worth up to USD$1.8 trillion by 2035.
Australia’s space industry generates around AUD$4 billion in revenue annually and currently employs more than 16,000 people.
In recent years, Australia has adopted a “whole-ofgovernment” approach to outer space, beginning to collate what was once a fragmented sector into a more coherent approach.
The Australian space sector recognises that the opportunities and challenges presented by space are too
important – both commercially and strategically – to be dealt with by any one government department alone.
It also highlights a pressing need to collectively raise awareness of the importance of space exploration and development.
As the global depth, pace, and scale of space activities continue to increase year by year, Australians are dependent on this exciting frontier as it enables positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) systems used for telecommunications, GPS, financial transactions, international banking, and shipping.
A swathe of Australian industries are embedded with,
and benefit from, space technologies. For example, Earth observation data is used by the mining industry for resource exploration, mapping, and utilisation, and can help aid agriculture by tracking drought conditions, monitoring crop and soil health, and observing the weather.
Space equally saves lives in the fields of bushfire monitoring and response as well as emergency management for other natural hazards, such as floods and severe weather, by using satellite imagery.
During the 2019-20 Australian bushfire season, often referred to as the “Black Summer”, space-based data
played a crucial role in supporting the management and control of the fires. Satellite imagery and remote sensing technologies provided real-time information on fire locations, intensity, and movement, which was essential for effective decision-making by emergency services.
Future generations will benefit from space-derived data which can provide information on the health of Australia’s ecosystems, including the Great Barrier Reef, and is integral to climate change mitigation, adaptation, and resilience.
Space technologies, capabilities, and data are also essential to ensuring the national security of Australia.
SPACE INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA INTERVIEW:
The Space Industry Association of Australia (SIAA) is the national peak body for Australia’s space sector. SIAA works closely with its members across governments, international partners, academia, and industry to advance the country’s space sector and economy, as CEO, Dan Lloyd, tells us
APAC Outlook (AO): Firstly, could you talk us through the origins of SIAA – when was it founded and what was its initial vision?
Dan Lloyd, CEO (DL): SIAA’s story is much the same as the Australian space industry’s tenacity, innovation, and momentum.
It was founded in 1992 as a small volunteer-run organisation with an ambitious vision to establish and kickstart a thriving Australian space industry.
Together, we have been quietly driving extraordinary capability and growth ever since. A vital point in history was when Australia won the right to host the world’s biggest space forum, the International Astronautical Congress (IAC), in 2017, which really put it on the international stage.
The Australian Space Agency was then announced and established, and we now have a sector with over 600 space organisations. Additionally, SIAA has professionalised with a full-time CEO, team, and over 80 member organisations.
The fact that SIAA, the Australian Space Agency, and
the Government of New South Wales (NSW) are hosting the IAC in Sydney in 2025 is a tremendous recognition of Australia’s increasing prominence in the global space industry and a catalyst for further growth.
AO: Since its inception, how has SIAA developed and progressed in terms of its key objectives?
DL: The initial aim was to be the national peak body for the nation’s space industry, and we have undeniably achieved this with a membership that reflects the Australian space value chain and the recognition of SIAA as a trusted, authoritative voice in the Australian and international space sector.
We’re now looking to the future and remain focused on how Australia can capture the exponential socioeconomic and security opportunities that are ours for the taking.
AO: What are currently the major challenges and developments in the Australian space sector?
DL: The major challenge for the Australian industry
GPC Electronics: Pioneering Excellence in Electronic Manufacturing Services
GPC Electronics is a beacon of innovation and reliability in Electronic Manufacturing Services (EMS). With a presence across three strategic locations: Australia, New Zealand, and China, GPC Electronics has cemented its reputation as a leader in delivering high-quality electronic manufacturing services to various industry sectors.
Global Footprint and Capabilities
Our state-of-the-art facilities are strategically located to serve our global clientele efficiently. In Australia, our Sydney site boasts a 10,000 m² manufacturing facility equipped with the latest technology to handle complex manufacturing processes. Our New Zealand site in Christchurch spans 2,500 m² and provides a vital service to the New Zealand industry. Meanwhile, our 6,500 m² facility in Shenzhen, China, ensures we remain competitive globally.
Industry Leadership
GPC Electronics is at the forefront of providing EMS to sectors such as Defence, Space, Medical, Automotive, Mining, Aerospace, and Industrial. Our commitment to quality and innovation underpins our expertise in these areas. We are proud to support the Defence sector with advanced RF and communication solutions, ruggedised electronics, and components that meet the stringent requirements of military applications. In the Space sector, our components have a proven track record, with many parts already orbiting the Earth, contributing to critical missions.
Robust Systems and Quality Accreditations
Our commitment to excellence is reflected in our robust systems and quality accreditations. GPC Electronics is certified to international standards such as ISO9001, ISO14001, IATF16949, ISO13485, ISO27001 and AS9100D. These certifications underscore our dedication to maintaining the highest quality standards in every aspect of our operations.
Our systematic and controlled methods for managing production ensure that every step is executed with precision and quality. This includes rigorous quality checks, standardised workflows, and efficient resource management.
Scalability and Collaboration
One of our core strengths is our ability to scale operations to meet the needs of our clients. Whether it’s a multinational corporation requiring large-scale production or a start-up needing specialised support, GPC Electronics has the flexibility and expertise to deliver. Our collaborative approach ensures that we work closely with our clients, providing tailored solutions that drive their success. From design for manufacture to final product testing, we offer comprehensive services that cover the entire product lifecycle.
Space Heritage
GPC Electronics has a rich Space industry heritage, supplying components integral to various space missions. This heritage is a testament to our engineering expertise and commitment to pushing the boundaries of what is possible. Our contributions to space missions highlight our capability to deliver high-performance solutions that meet the exacting standards of the aerospace industry.
Conclusion
GPC Electronics continues to lead the way in Electronic Manufacturing Services, driven by a commitment to quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction. Our global presence, industry expertise, robust systems, and collaborative approach make us the partner of choice for companies looking to excel in their respective fields. As we look to the future, we remain dedicated to advancing technology and delivering solutions that make a difference.
Holmes Imager is the smallest payload currently offered by HEO, developed for in-orbit non-Earth imaging (NEI) applications. It achieved TRL 9 on its initial launch in June 2023. Operating as a hosted payload, Holmes Imager captures resolved imagery of space objects as they fly past the host spacecraft.
is making the leap from innovative start-ups to scale commercialisation. Whilst it is great to see the Australian government’s National Reconstruction Fund and private equity investing in high-potential, space-related companies, there is a need to develop better pathways that enable them to make the leap.
The Asia Pacific (APAC) region is full of space sector opportunities, with many countries including India, Japan, and New Zealand all driving growth and increasing collaboration.
There is also a real opportunity for Australia to be a regional leader in the Indo-Pacific region. The country hosted the 30th Asia Pacific Regional Space Agencies Forum last year in Perth, which offered a range of Australian companies and organisations the opportunity to engage with this important forum and highlight the nation’s capability to partners across the APAC region.
Australia has unique geographical advantages reinforced by its pivotal role in regional security partnerships, including the Quad, a diplomatic partnership between Australia, India, Japan, and the US, the highly successful International Space Investment (ISI) India Projects grants, and extensive business between Australian and Japanese companies.
The importance of US-Australia partnerships is highlighted by the Australia-US Technology Safeguards Agreement, which has enabled aerospace companies such as Southern Launch and Varda to deliver a world-first spacecraft return from low-Earth orbit to a commercial spaceport.
“AUSTRALIA IS TEETERING ON THE VERGE OF TRANSFORMATIONAL SOCIOECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES, AND HOSTING IAC 2025 IS THE BEST WAY TO ENSURE WE DON’T MISS THEM”
– DAN LLOYD, CEO, SPACE INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA
AO: What trends are currently developing and transforming the industry, and how are you responding to them?
DL: Opportunities for Australia to work closely with international partners to support global space sector uplift are transforming our industry.
Space is a worldwide industry, and Australia has a range of advantages as an international partner in space activities.
Not only does Australia’s unique geography enable launches into multiple orbits, but it also has an established regulatory environment to support commercial launches and returns, as well as ground segment and space situational awareness capabilities that are enhanced by our position in the Southern Hemisphere.
Detect, Monitor, and Minimize Risk with Near-Daily Earth Insights
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Planet pairs persistent global satellite monitoring and low latency tasking with machine learning-based analytics to deliver early intelligence across shifting geopolitical landscapes.
SkySat • Asia Pacific Airline Storage, Alice Springs, Australia September 30, 2021
offers a comprehensive suite of data products which help enhance decision-making and support year-round disaster preparedness and recovery efforts for flooding, droughts and bushfires.
February 1, 2021
Planet data helps governments monitor the health and productivity of agricultural land and identify new threats that impact food security.
PlanetScope • Bongeen, Queensland, Australia February 10, 2023
Governments use Planet data to identify and monitor changes to land cover, vegetation, roads and buildings and other activities over broad areas.
PlanetScope • Wollemi National Park New South Wales, Australia February 29, 2024
Planet
SkySat • Wooroloo Bushfire • Brigadoon, Western Australia
Neumann Space is an Australian-owned company whose mission is to enable the sustainable economic development of space. The company is focused on delivering superior mobility in space through the development and manufacture of simple, safe, and efficient electric propulsion systems and the commercialisation of those products for satellites and spacecraft.
The Neumann Drive® marks a revolution in the field of satellite propulsion. The company’s lightweight products use its patented Centre-Triggered Pulsed Cathodic Arc Thruster (CT-PCAT) technology to convert solid conductive metal rods (including from recycled space debris) into plasma and produce thrust. Its product range creates value for customers in all space operations and travel.
Neumann Space provides a sovereign in-space electric propulsion capability. With two in-orbit demonstrations completed last year, and another scheduled for later this year, the company is now ready to take orders.
Australia is already a close partner and ally of many like-minded nations. All these factors, and our world-class capability across the Australian space value chain, make our nation a natural space sector partner.
AO: What key investments or recent projects are you working on?
JOIN THE FUTURE OF SPACE
This year’s IAC in Sydney offers a rich programme featuring plenary and technical sessions, networking opportunities, and the latest advancements in space exploration.
Researchers are invited to submit their work through the call for papers, contributing to global discussions.
Visitors can also enhance their experience with technical tours across Australia and New Zealand, showcasing regional space industries, and will have the opportunity to participate in adjacent events such as the New Zealand Aerospace Summit.
Gunggandji Aerospace (Gunggandji) is a consulting company with over 100 years of civilian and defence experience, providing a range of defence, aviation, and space-based consulting services. Headquartered in Brisbane, Gunggandji hosts locations on Ngambri, Naarm, and Boorloo land. The company is proudly 100 percent Australian Aboriginal-owned. Gunggandji maintains consultancy relationships with stakeholders across both civil and defence aerodromes, air traffic control establishments, regulatory bodies, and sovereign defence industries. The company’s core capabilities include project management across aerospace and defence, including scheduling, stakeholder, and cost management, as well as First Nations management. Gunggandji’s driving mission is to provide unmatched value-for-money by increasing Indigenous participation in the aviation, space, and cyber domains, enabling Australian Defence Force veteran employment and supporting opportunities to ‘Close The Gap’.
DL: We’ve just successfully delivered our major annual conference, Southern Space, at the Avalon Airshow and are now focused on the biggest space event on the planet, the IAC, which we’re bringing to Sydney this September.
The eyes of the world will be on Australia, and I’m really looking forward to the recognition and momentum this will give our industry and government.
SIAA is also very focused on the development of a national Space Industry Academy to support pathways from education to careers and continuous professional development for Australian space sector professionals.
Our nation has extraordinary talent, and we want to do everything we can to ensure Australia maximises its potential and capability.
AO: Finally, how do you see SIAA developing over the next five years, and what specific targets do you hope to achieve moving forwards?
DL: I see SIAA, the industry, and government all progressing on an accelerating path to scale and success.
There is a very good chance that we will look back in five years and say that 2025 was a pivotal year for space, delivering exponential socioeconomic benefits for Australia.
Securing our future
The National Resilience and Security (NRAS) Program office is facilitating world-class industry partnerships. We’re advancing new technologies and talent pipelines to contribute to Indo-Pacific regional security and prosperity.
To explore new ideas and learn more about partnering with Curtin University, please contact NRAS@curtin.edu.au
SIAA is really focused on delivering a successful IAC 2025 in Sydney this September in partnership with our co-hosts, the Australian Space Agency and NSW government.
This is a major catalyst for Australia to step up to the next level with even more ambitious goals across the industry and government. The country is teetering on the verge of transformational socioeconomic opportunities, and hosting IAC 2025 is the best way to ensure we don’t miss them.
SIAA is very focused on constructive long-term partnerships across the industry with government and international partners.
Recently, we published a long-term roadmap that suggests a range of important initiatives, including a refreshed national space strategy and targeted investments in areas where Australia leads the world, such as microgravity research.
We’re also very keen to inspire the nation by enabling the first astronaut to fly under an Australian flag, Katherine Bennell-Pegg, to do what she’s spent years training for.
Lastly, we hope to continue to grow our membership alongside accelerating our focus on the Indo-Pacific region.
world-first all-sky multibeam phased array receiver tracks dozens of satellites at once and supplies mission-critical Space Domain Awareness data
Lunar Outpost Oceania – part of the ELO2 Consortium
The ELO2 Consortium has been selected to deliver Australia’s first lunar rover.
The AUD$42 million Australian Space Agency project will see ELO2 design, construct, and operate the Australian-made rover, “Roo-ver”, on the lunar surface. Its mission is to foster new horizons in the Australian space sector, focusing on the development of essential services for lunar exploration missions.
As part of this program, the ELO2 Consortium is dedicated to showcasing and advancing Australian aerospace and robotics capabilities through the design of a cutting-edge, remotely-operated, autonomous robotic asset on the lunar surface. By actively contributing to NASA’s Artemis programme, it is paving the way for an exciting future in space exploration.
operations@spaceindustry.com.au
spaceindustry.com.au
Quasar’s
to the US Space Force.
