The Australian Space Agency has signed an agreement with Thales, announced Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Karen Andrews.
“Engaging with big international players like Thales will allow Australian businesses, including our advanced manufacturers, to carve out a place in the international space supply chain,” Minister Andrews said.
“Space is very much an international game and for Australia to succeed we need to play to our strengths and have our businesses and researchers working cooperatively.
“This statement is designed to mutually identify key areas of investment as well as potential research, development and commercial opportunities.
“The Government plans to triple the size of the Australian space sector by 2030, adding $12 billion to our economy each year, and creating 20,000 new jobs.”
Thales Australia CEO Chris Jenkins said the company was looking forward to working with the Space Agency and harnessing the strength of its global expertise in the space sector to build Australia’s sovereign capabilities.
“Thales has been a long-term investor in Australia’s advanced technology sector, through comprehensive technology transfer and close collaboration with research agencies and specialised Australian SMEs,” Jenkins said.
Reflecting Thales Australia’s well established strength in Australia’s Defence, Transport and Air Traffic Management sectors, the ceremony brought together the Thales Alenia Space VP Navigation, Benoit Broudy, and Thales Australia VP Strategy Gary Dawson to jointly sign the space agency Statement.
Thales will bring its global experience in designing, delivering and operating space related systems, including SBAS and communications satellites, to Australia to build real Australian space industry capability for Australia and for export. Thales is the current supplier of Satellite-Based Augmentation System (SBAS) to France, Korea and Africa.
The Australian Space Agency has also this week signed a Statement of Strategic Intent and Cooperation with EOS Space Systems.
EOS specialises in the design, manufacture, delivery and operation of technology for Space Situational Awareness. It will establish further laser ranging sensors across Australia to increase the volume of space objects they track from 10,000 to 100,000 each week.