Fugro's Space Automation, AI and Robotics Control Complex (SpAARC) in Perth, Western Australia (WA), is to receive an additional $5 million in funding from the WA Government.
The announcement was made at the Pan Pacific Hotel in Perth on the 23 October, at the opening of IPSEC 2023, Perth’s Indo-Pacific Space and Earth Conference for leaders in space and cross-sector technologies.
“WA Government is seizing the opportunity to transform WA into a global hub for space and technology hub that attracts the best and brightest talent, and accelerates the diversification of our economy," said WA Premier Roger Cook.
"Leveraging WA’s high-tech robotics and remote operations sector, Fugro SpAARC will capitalise on our significant space infrastructure and capabilities to position WA as the Southern Hemisphere’s global hub for space operations and exploration.”
The funding will be used to help strengthen existing partnerships while also developing a local pipeline of experts who will contribute to SpAARC’s world-class capabilities, ensuring Fugro is well positioned to support future space exploration.
“Space has always been a hotbed of innovation in robotics, automation and harsh-environment operations," said SpAARC’s Director, Fugro’s Sam Forbes.
"This additional support significantly improves our ability to lead in this dynamic field, while also furthering the unique remote and autonomous capabilities we’re working on at SpAARC and more widely within Fugro.”
This announcement follows Fugro’s recently publicised involvement in the WA Government supported AROSE consortium for Stage 1 of the Trailblazer mission, delivered in partnership with the Australian Space Agency (ASA) and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).