Adelaide satellite tv for pc tech startup Fleet Area Applied sciences has bagged its first contract within the profitable defence sector, signing a $6.4 million contract with Australia’s Defence Area Command.
The settlement will see Fleet’s next-generation of Centauri satellites used to develop and exhibit a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite tv for pc communications system centered on tactical communications and knowledge transmission the place connectivity is proscribed.
Fleet’s Centauri satellites might be used to develop a LEO satellite tv for pc communications system below a program known as ASCEND2LEO. It’s a collaboration between the Defence Science and Know-how Group (DSTG), Fleet, College of South Australia, Rice Satcom Pty Ltd and SmartSat CRC geared toward demonstrating LEO capabilities in battle in addition to growing the domestically-led nationwide house and defence business.
Defence Area Command director of house providers Colonel Clifford White stated Australia has a “proficient house business with an ingenious spirit” that may add to navy logistics.
“Area is operationally essential to the achievement of the Defence mission, and that is an instance of progressive option to advance {our capability} and assist the event of a sustainable nationwide house enterprise,” he stated.
“We stay up for working with Fleet Area as they convey new approaches to reinforce satellite tv for pc communication capabilities to satisfy Defence’s wants.”
SmartSat CEO Professor Any Koronios CEO stated ASCEND2LEO is an bold mission.
“It delivers one of many Defence Area Technique aims, being that ‘Defence might profit from repurposing civilian know-how for navy means, with out having to spend money on R&D or enterprise incubation’, she stated.
“SmartSat was in a position to work with Fleet to develop a proposal to just do this – repurpose know-how getting used for world main mineral exploration, and know-how SmartSat developed to construct extra resilient Search and Rescue infrastructure, into an indication of tactical voice communications.”
Fleet Area has centered on growing low-power, high-performance edge computing in small satellites and terrestrial gadgets, in addition to additive manufacturing and has a powerful shopper base within the mining sector for minerals exploration.