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Four Australian Space companies shared $ 3 million in federal government grants as part of the Moon to Mars initiative.
As part of the Supply Chain Capacity Improvement Program, which aims to develop space manufacturing capabilities and local supply chains and help Australian companies participate in the public space exploration program- Private Moon to Mars from the US government, more than $ 5 million in total has been distributed. through the rolling in the financing rounds.
The third round of the program, announced Wednesday by acting Industry Minister Angus Taylor, saw four companies share $ 3 million in grants for various space manufacturing programs.
The cash injection would strengthen Australia’s space manufacturing base and strengthen the economy, Taylor said.
“The space sector is one of our six national manufacturing priorities and these grants directly contribute to building the skills and capacities of Australian space companies so that they can scale up their operations and become competitive in global markets,†a- he declared.
“The grants also provide a tangible opportunity for Australian companies to support the transformation of our space industry and to contribute to projects that will support NASA’s Moon to Mars program. “
Queensland tech firm Gilmour Space Technologies landed the biggest land in the cycle, with $ 1 million in funding for its manufacturing capacity to produce qualified composite overwrapped pressure vessels that can hold fluids under pressure for use in the aerospace industry.
South Australian space company Inovor Technologies received a $ 750,000 grant to provide fast and competitive satellite manufacturing capabilities, while Queensland-based Black Sky Aerospace landed just under $ 700,000 to expand production. of its Responsive Common Use Booster for commercial use.
Queensland space company Crystalaid Manufacture received its second grant under the program, with just under $ 550,000 going towards its high-tech manufacturing capacity to produce electronic components for space use. The company has previously won a grant under the same program worth over $ 450,000.
Australian Space Agency Director Enrico Palermo highlighted the opportunities for Australia at the intersection of space and manufacturing.
“Space and manufacturing go hand in hand and these projects are leveraging this relationship to drive economic growth and create jobs here in Australia,†said Palermo.
“With this support, these Australian companies will be able to expand their capabilities and tap into new supply chains around the world – adding to the opportunities here at home.”
The federal government announced $ 150 million in funding in late 2020 to help Australian companies participate in the US government’s Moon-to-Mars mission and NASA’s Artemis lunar program, which aims to return astronauts to the Moon from by 2024.
As part of this funding, $ 25.7 million in grants over five years are available to Australian companies wishing to participate in the supply chain of these missions.
Grants can cover up to 75% of a project’s expenses and are available on an ongoing basis until mid-2023.
Grants opened in August 2020, with the first round being distributed in March. As part of this round, two NSW companies shared $ 1.1 million in funding.
Space is one of the government’s six priority areas for its Modern Manufacturing Initiative, and $ 14 million in grants were awarded in July to companies operating in the sector.
Do you know more? Contact James Riley by email.
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