Airbus and the Australian Space Agency (ASA) have signed a statement of intent confirming the European manufacturer’s commitment towards enhancing the capability and competitiveness of the country’s space sector.
The statement of intent, which is the first to be signed by the agency with an industry partner, includes Airbus’ support for space discovery, technology development and connectivity, and Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education in Australia.
Pierre Jaffre, President Asia-Pacific Airbus said: “Airbus aims to support projects and partnerships that contribute to growth and jobs in Australia, with a special focus on innovation and skills. We look forward to working with the Australian Space Agency, as well as the country’s academia, SMEs and start-ups, to develop Australia’s space sovereign capability. This includes nurturing and developing areas of strategic priority and technologies identified by an expert reference group panel.”
Dr Megan Clark AC, Head of the Australian Space Agency, said: “The Australian Space Agency is committed to a transparent and significant engagement with industry. Our purpose is to transform and grow the Australian space sector, and the broader use of space across the country’s economy, to inspire and deliver benefit to all Australians. We welcome Airbus’ choice of Australia for the world’s first operations of the Zephyr and Skynet 5 platforms. We also welcome Airbus’ efforts to actively support STEM education and training opportunities in Australia and internationally.”
Airbus and the Australian Space Agency have a shared interest in enhancing the competitiveness and capability of the Australian space industry. This includes the growing importance of commercialisation at every point along the space value-added chain, from research and development to high-tech manufacturing, transportation, satellite operations and consumer services based on satellite signals and data.
Airbus Defence and Space has a major presence in Australia. In 2011, the Royal Australian Air Force became the launch operator of the A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) which it designates locally as the KC-30A. Airbus has also been supplying earth observation satellite imagery to the Australian market for over 25 years, and the company’s fully integrated optical and radar satellite constellation enables daily acquisitions at high resolutions.
In 2016, a brand new purpose built satellite ground station was established in Adelaide to land Airbus Defence and Space’s Skynet secure military satellite communications. In June 2018, Airbus selected Wyndham airfield in Western Australia as the first flight base for its pioneering Zephyr solar-powered unmanned aircraft.
Airbus’ Space Systems business line designs, develops and operates major space systems around the world. Globally, commercial and institutional customers rely on the company’s leading space and technology solutions. This covers everything from the smallest electronic parts to the full in-orbit delivery of satellites, from very-high-resolution Earth observation instruments to unprecedented deep-space exploration missions, and from today’s most reliable telecommunication satellites to unfailing International Space Station operations.
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