Under a newly announced agreement, Defence Science and Technology (DST) and Gilmour Space - a “homegrown” Gold Coast-based hybrid rocket launch provider - will work on areas of mutual interest, including propulsion, materials and avionics technologies for space.
The deal with DST will support Gilmour Space in the development of a new three-stage hybrid rocket that will launch small payloads and satellites into orbit from 2022.
The Federal Government says Gilmour Space is developing lower-cost, reliable and dedicated rockets to launch small satellites into low earth orbits - with the new partnership between Defence Science and Technology and Gilmour Space to research defence-related technologies including propulsion, materials and avionics technologies, to help develop a three-stage hybrid rocket that will launch small payloads and satellites.
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Minister for Defence, Senator the Linda Reynolds CSC, said the new collaboration demonstrates the Morrison Government’s commitment to “innovation and supporting Australian defence industry”.
“Technology advances have allowed rocket systems and launch service providers to offer access to space at a greatly reduced cost and infrastructure footprint,” Minister Reynolds said.
Minister for Defence Industry, Melissa Price, said the agreement would “open the door for Australian space companies to provide space capabilities to Australia’s defence force and commercial customers”.
“Recent advancements in the capabilities of micro and nano-satellites, small satellite constellations and additive manufacturing present a unique opportunity for Defence and Australian industry,” Minister Price said.
Member for Fadden, Stuart Robert, said there is potential for more local work as a result of Defence’s strategic agreement with Gilmour Space.
“Gilmour Space Technologies hopes to leverage their work with Defence to undertake more onshore manufacturing of rocket systems and components which, with further investment, could create up to 50 additional jobs by the end of the year,” Robert said.
