Artist’s impression of Gilmour Space Technologies’ Eris launch vehicle. Courtesy Gilmour Space Technologies.
Gold Coast-based Gilmour Space Technologies has been selected to develop and launch a new sovereign surveillance satellite as part of a $15 million partnership with the federal government.
Announcing the partnership, Defence Minister Peter Dutton said the investment was part of the federal government’s commitment to developing sovereign space capabilities.
“In line with our recently released Defence Space Strategy, Defence is closely engaged with the Australian Space Agency and Australian industry to develop and supply sovereign space surveillance and mission system capabilities,” Minister Dutton said.
“I am proud to announce this $15 million investment in new military space capabilities to counter threats and assure our continued access to space-based intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.”
“This is a big milestone for an Australian-owned company that’s working hard to develop sovereign space and launch capabilities for our Civil, Commercial and Defence customers,” said Gilmour’s CEO, Adam Gilmour.
“We firmly believe that partnerships like this will help to grow future Space and Defence primes in Australia and lead to more capability for Defence in the years ahead.”
Minister for Minister for Employment, Workforce, Skills, Small and Family Business, Stuart Robert, said Gilmour Space Technologies was an Australian success story.
“Adam and James Gilmour founded the company nine years ago as a start-up,” Minister Robert said.
“Since that time, Gilmour Space Technologies has grown from strength-to-strength to become Australia’s largest space company with 140 employees — and they have job opportunities available right now.
“This company launched Australia’s first privately developed hybrid rocket and they are offering people with a wide background of skills in manufacturing, engineering and support roles the opportunity to launch their own career in space right here on the Gold Coast.”
Minister Dutton said Defence is aiming to launch a satellite prototype in conjunction with Gilmour by mid-2023.
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