South Australian company Myriota has announced a $1.5 million investment from the Australian Space Agency’s Moon to Mars Initiative Demonstrator Mission Grants.
The funding will support the development of a compact, low-cost communications payload. The payload will provide resilient, flexible and scalable radio communications in off-world environments.
Enrico Palermo, Head of the Australian Space Agency, said the project is expected to drive further job growth and expand sovereign capabilities.
“This project is another example of how Australian innovation can contribute to global space missions, while ultimately enhancing the critical technologies that can improve lives here on Earth,” Mr Palermo said.
“This is an investment in more than just the development of a new payload for space – it’s an investment in the Aussie ingenuity and capability that is essential for a Future Made in Australia, delivering space-enabled intelligence to improve outcomes for sectors impacted by climate change including agriculture.”
The Australian Space Agency and Myriota signed a Statement of Strategic Intent and Cooperation to enhance the capabilities of Australia’s space industry in 2019, shortly after the ASA was founded.