Space research Trailblazer iLAuNCH has opened its $18 million advanced manufacturing facility at the University of South Australia.
The 3D metal printing facility is located in Adelaide’s Camden Park, at the site of manufacturing group Stärke-AMG subsidiary VPG Innovation. The facility will support two UniSA-led additive manufacturing projects announced under the iLAuNCH program.
In collaboration with VPG innovation, the first project will focus on additive manufacture of space components using electron beam melting, while the second project with VPG Innovation and SMR Automotive Australia will focus on novel materials for optical components and satellite parts.
South Australia’s Deputy Premier and Innovation minister Susan Close opened the facility on Tuesday, saying it will support the state’s transition “from resource-intensive manufacturing to more research-driven and energy efficient processes”.
“The facility will support a world-class sovereign manufacturing capability that will create new jobs and lead to global exports within the space industry. It will add to our state’s competitive manufacturing advantage and will fill a critical gap in the burgeoning space sector.”
The iLAuNCH Trailblazer is led by the University of South Queensland, with two other nodes at the Australian National University and University of South Australia.
Over five years, the trailblazer aims to build sovereign space capability by investing in industry research, commercialisation and manufacturing activity.
The initiative has received $180 million worth of financial and in-kind commitments from the participating partners, including $50 million from the federal government.
Aside from the two projects being undertaken with VPG Innovation, UniSA has also announced a project with clean energy technology firm entX and another with Northrop Grumman and space edge computing firm Spiral Blue.
Additional projects in earth observation and optical communication will be announced soon. The program also includes training, education, and outreach programs to help train a space industry workforce.
iLAuNCH executive director Darin Lovett said the Trailblazer program will ensure “South Australia is primed to launch into a trillion-dollar global space ecosystem”.
“To seize the opportunity, we are focussed on commercialising our world class space technology through collaboration and focussed effort,” Mr Lovett said.
Overall, the federal government has committed $370.3 million to the university trailblazers program to boost research commercialisation. It also includes work to reform incentives for researchers to encourage more commercialisation work or stints in industry.
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