Earlier this week, Head of the Australian Space Agency Enrico Palermo visited key representatives from the national space sector in Melbourne.
On his two-day tour, Mr. Palermo met up with some Victorian state-based grant recipients, who have been awarded Agency support from various funding programs like the Moon to Mars initiative's Demonstrator Mission Grants program and the International Space Investment initiative.
Mr. Palermo's trip included visits to:
Conflux Technology
Recipient of a Moon to Mars Supply Chain Capability grant
They are using a unique approach to create a heat exchanger that will sit inside the gas duct of a rocket engine.
Enable Aerospace
Recipient of a Moon to Mars Demonstrator Mission grant
The company provides an end-to-end capability in Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) design, manufacture, integration, certification, flight test and operational support.
University of Melbourne
Recipient of both an International Space Investment and Moon to Mars Demonstrator Mission grant
The University led a consortium that developed a groundbreaking Australian-made Space Industry Responsive Intelligent Thermal (SpIRIT) nanosatellite, which was launched into orbit last year.
Lunaria One
Recipient of a Moon to Mars Demonstrator Mission grant
They are designing, building and testing two Australian lunar experiment promoting horticulture (ALEPH) projects.
RMIT University
Recipient of a Moon to Mars Demonstrator Mission grant
They are developing MAPrad — a miniature device that scans deep below ground is being developed to identify ice deposits and hollow lava tubes on the Moon for possible human settlement.
Monash University
The University’s National Indigenous Space Academy (NISA) is an initiative supported by the Agency. Last month, five students commenced their 10-week internship at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
NextAero
Recipient of a Moon to Mars Supply Chain Capability grant
Their Agency-funded project aims to meet the needs of national and international space customers who require capability in advanced fuels, such as liquid hydrogen and methane.
During his visit to RMIT University, Mr Palermo reflected on the deep connection between university research and space, which is integral to life in Australia.
“History is littered with examples of space research improving life here on Earth. Here in this lab, for example, they’re looking at life sciences and we know by studying astronauts in space that can help with diseases here on Earth and support aged care. That research is fundamental to ensuring Australia accesses all the benefits it can from space,” Mr Palermo said.
The Head of Agency's Melbourne visit also included facility tours to:
- Swinburne University
- Esper Satellite Imagery
- Lockheed Martin Australia and New Zealand
Industry showcase
Australian space innovations making an impact
Main image credit: RMIT University