DISER awards four SCCI grants to Australian space companies
The Australian Government has awarded contracts worth $3 million to four Australian companies under its Moon to Mars initiative.
The contracts, awarded under Round 3 of the Supply Chain Capability Improvement grants program, will help the companies improve their technical capabilities so they can enter new national and international markets.
The $150 million Moon to Mars initiative is part of over $700 million invested by the government into the Australian civil space sector since 2018 to support the goal of tripling the sector’s size to $12 billion and creating up to an extra 20,000 jobs by 2030.
The Moon to Mars Supply Chain Capability Improvement program offers grants between $250,000 and $1 million, with applications open until 1 May 2023.
The four recipients of the Moon to Mars Supply Chain Capability Improvement grants are:
- Gilmour Space Technologies(QLD) has received $1,000,000 to improve its manufacturing capability to produce qualified composite overwrapped pressure vessels (COPVs) that can hold fluids under pressure, for use in the aerospace industry.
- Crystalaid Manufacture(QLD) has received $538,882 to improve its high-tech manufacturing capability to produce electronic components for space use.
- Black Sky Aerospace(QLD), a propellant manufacturer and launch service provider, has received $678,487 to expand production of its Responsive Common Use Booster (RCUB) propellant for commercial use.
- Inovor Technologies(SA) has received $750,000 to deliver rapid, high-reliability and cost competitive satellite manufacturing capability in Australia.
The Head of the Australian Space Agency, Enrico Palermo, said these projects again demonstrate the opportunities that are present at the intersection of space and manufacturing.
“With this support, these Australian companies will be able to expand their capability and tap into new supply chains around the world – which adds up to opportunities here at home,” he said
“The space sector is one of our six National Manufacturing Priorities and these grants directly contribute to building the skills and capabilities of Australian space businesses so they can scale up their operations and become competitive in global markets,” said Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Angus Taylor.
“The grants also provide a tangible opportunity for Australian businesses to support the transformation of our space industry and contribute to projects that will support NASA’s Moon to Mars program.”
To apply for a grant and for more information, visit: https://business.gov.au/grants-and-programs/moon-to-mars-supply-chain-capability-improvement-grants/grant-recipients