A group of 25 space companies comprising 40 delegates from the United Kingdom have landed in Adelaide on a mission to explore why more global businesses are investing in South Australia’s cutting-edge space ecosystem.
The delegation, supported by the Department for Trade and Investment, includes UK Launch Services, CGI, SSTL, Archangel Lightworks, Space Forge, Inmarsat and D-Orbit, and representatives from the UK Government and UK Space Agency.
While in Adelaide, the UK representatives will learn more about the state’s plans to accelerate the country’s sovereign space manufacturing capability through initiatives including the Australian Space Park, the first dedicated space manufacturing hub in Australia, according to a news release by the SA government.
The delegates will also gain insights into South Australia’s role as the Australian Space Agency’s home and forge foundational alliances in the rapidly growing space industry, which Australia hopes to triple in size to $12 billion by 2030 while creating up to 20,000 jobs by 2030.
The UK-Australia Space Bridge Agreement, which was inked to foster cooperation and hasten the growth of the nation’s space industries, turns two years old on the same day as a trade mission to entice more space firms to SA is taking place.
The trip is also being supported by the South Australian Space Industry Centre, Australian Space Agency, CSIRO, and Bureau of Meteorology.
“D-Orbit, as an orbital transportation and space logistics company, is looking forward to seeing the space and hi-tech industry that has developed in South Australia and understand how we might be part of the thriving ecosystem,” Simon Reid, managing director at D-Orbit UK, said.
Paul Davey, chief commercial officer at Archangel Lightworks, noted that “Archangel Lightworks are pleased to be visiting Adelaide, as part of the UK Government’s flagship space sector trade delegation to Australia to coincide with the second UK-Australia Space Bridge anniversary and the Avalon International Air Show.”
Archangel Lightworks will be able to connect with top South Australian space firms through the mission, develop new business alliances, and create opportunities for scientific collaboration and research while also locating local suppliers and clients, according to Davey.
For more information on the state’s space sector, visit invest.sa.gov.au/sectors/space-industries
