Inovor Technologies now has a new 10-year strategic partnership with industry and academia that will see its satellite technologies and expertise used to deliver four new satellite missions, providing leap-ahead exemplar space capabilities for the Australian Defence Force (ADF).
The objective of the Australian Defence Science and Technology Group’s Resilient Multi-mission Space (RMS) STaR Shot mission, led by Airbus, is to design, manufacture, launch and operate at least four exemplar small satellite (up to 200 kg) missions over the 10-year program.
Each mission may include several satellites, and each satellite will contain several payloads related to one or more of the five Science and Technology (S&T) themes: space capability (Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance; Non-geostationary satellite communications; Space Domain Awareness) and space missions (Space autonomy; resilient space systems and concepts).
As mission integration partner, Inovor Technologies will support the manufacture and integration of the satellites in its expanded facilities at the Lot Fourteen innovation precinct in Adelaide, South Australia. The mission will also provide opportunities for Inovor Technologies to fly its own Australian-made payloads and satellite components.
Inovor Technologies CEO and founder Dr Matthew Tetlow congratulated Airbus on its appointment as the ADF’s Strategic Partner to deliver the RMS STaR Shot mission.
“The RMS mission aligns perfectly with our goal to build larger satellites in Australia to supply to both Defence and global commercial markets,” Dr Tetlow said.
“We are thrilled to be selected alongside Shoal Group and Deloitte as the Australian Space Industry representatives on the RMS mission with Airbus.
“Many of Australia’s leading universities are also on the team which is fantastic.
“The inclusion of commercial Australian space industry partners and local academia is a great decision by the Australian Defence Force. Fostering strategic partnerships around national space defence will ensure Australia can look after its national interests in the space domain in the long term.”
The RMS mission’s university partners are the University of South Australia, University of Melbourne, Australian National University, and the University of NSW Canberra.
“We look forward to working with all partners on the success of the RMS mission,” Dr Tetlow said.