The Australian Government has committed a further A$52 million for a ‘national network’ to advance local space manufacturing and future launches, the Australian Space Manufacturing Network.

The funding will primarily go towards a new manufacturing and test facility to produce launch vehicles and satellites. One of the country’s largest manufacturers in the space sector, Gilmour Space Technologies, will work with companies and universities to deliver the site.

The funding will also support the Bowen Orbital Spaceport in North Queensland, preparing its launch pad to fire rockets into orbit. 

Minister for Science and Technology Melissa Price said, “This investment will rocket us toward our goal of tripling the size of the Australian space sector to $12 billion and creating up to an extra 20,000 new jobs by 2030.

“Space and manufacturing go hand in hand. By backing this project we are ensuring Australia can deliver across the entire space supply chain, from design and manufacturing through to launch and operation.”