A $157 million bid, led by Queensland, Australia-based Gilmour Space Technologies to grow sovereign space manufacturing in Australia, has been awarded the largest Modern Manufacturing Initiative Collaboration (MMIC) grant for space by the Federal Government.
Minister for Industry, Energy and Emissions Reduction, Angus Taylor MP, said in a statement that the Government’s $52 million co-investment in the Australian Space Manufacturing Network (ASMN) project will help unlock further collaboration between small and medium businesses and researchers to see launch vehicles and satellites take off to space. “From testing to manufacture, to assembly and finally launch, this project will harness great Aussie know-how to attract further private investment and create hundreds of high-skilled and high-value jobs. This is a big win for Queensland jobs.”
As one of Australia’s largest sovereign space manufacturers, Gilmour Space will work with a range of local partners and universities, including the Queensland State Government, to create a manufacturing and test hub and an advanced manufacturing facility to produce launch vehicles and satellites.
The funding will also support the rocket company’s proposed Bowen Orbital Spaceport in North Queensland, where Gilmour Space is preparing to launch its first Eris rocket to orbit later this year.
Said Gilmour Space CEO, Adam Gilmour, “It’s a significant step forward for our partners and for commercial space in Australia. Rockets and satellites are key enablers of the global space economy. This funding will provide timely support for emerging space manufacturers like Gilmour to develop and mature significant new space capabilities in Australia.”