Victorian Lead Scientist Dr Amanda Caples, Associate Professor Alan Duffy at Swinburne University of Technology and the Victorian Government recently launched the state’s bid for Australia’s space agency.
Victorian Lead Scientist Dr Amanda Caples, Associate Professor Alan Duffy at Swinburne University of Technology and the Victorian Government recently launched the state’s bid for Australia’s space agency.
Victoria is the ideal home for the new agency and its advanced manufacturing and data science sectors, with more than one-in-five Australian space-related science and technology companies based here.
Victoria is also well positioned both commercially and geographically to be the physical centre and a focal point for coordinating national and international collaboration on space and attracting global investment.
At the launch event, Victoria’s Lead Scientist, Dr Amanda Caples said
Victoria is at the forefront of research, engineering and advanced manufacturing in the areas of aerospace, satellite communications, cybersecurity and spatial information for both the civil and defence industries.
Some of the world’s biggest names in aerospace – including Lockheed Martin, Thales, Boeing and BAE Systems – carryout aerospace research, development and manufacturing in Victoria.
Lockheed Martin established its first multi-disciplinary research facility outside the United States, STELarLab, in Melbourne and the Bureau of Meteorology – the biggest user of space technology in Australia – is based in Melbourne, as is the leading Cooperative Research Centre for Spatial Information.
Victoria’s research and development capabilities in this sector are world-class. Swinburne University has partnered with the California Institute of Technology, giving the institute unique access to the Keck Observatory in Hawaii. Swinburne University of Technology Associate Professor Alan Duffy said,
Victoria has a proud legacy of world-class advanced manufacturing, as well as the key universities and industry R&D collaborations in data science and AI to best use that data from space. Our state is ready to support the growth of the Australian space industry that operates on a global scale and beyond.
La Trobe University has a $20 million partnership with the German Aerospace Centre to to design and build a control system for new imaging technology on the International Space Station (ISS).
To get involved in Victoria’s bid to become home to Australia’s space station, contact Bill Belton at beltonb@ecodev.vic.gov.au
