UTS and Space Machines Company Forge Pioneering Partnership for Space Sustainability

Written by Copernical Team Monday, 18 March 2024 16:54

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Sydney, Australia (SPX) Mar 14, 2024

In an ambitious move marking a new chapter for Australia's space industry, the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) has joined forces with Space Machines Company (SMC), aiming to enhance space sustainability. This collaboration is set against the backdrop of Australia's goal to expand its space economy from AU$4 billion to AU$12 billion by 2030, alongside creating 20,000 jobs. During a st

UTS and Space Machines Company Forge Pioneering Partnership for Space Sustainability
by Simon Mansfield
Sydney, Australia (SPX) Mar 14, 2024

In an ambitious move marking a new chapter for Australia's space industry, the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) has joined forces with Space Machines Company (SMC), aiming to enhance space sustainability. This collaboration is set against the backdrop of Australia's goal to expand its space economy from AU$4 billion to AU$12 billion by 2030, alongside creating 20,000 jobs.

During a strategic meeting, Roger Kermode, UTS Tech Lab's Director of Business Development, and Rajat Kulshrestha, CEO of SMC, discussed their shared goal of establishing a venture that encompasses the inspection, repair, relocation, servicing, upgrading, and disposal of spacecraft. This initiative is vital for fostering a sustainable space industry. SMC's vision and UTS's resources, including academic and technical expertise as well as cutting-edge facilities, align perfectly with this mission.

The partnership benefits from UTS's dedication to industry collaborations, evidenced by its investment in innovation precincts designed to support New South Wales' broader innovation strategy. This strategy not only promotes best-practice research models but also encourages a culture of collaboration and innovation at UTS and with its industry partners.

This initiative is expected to generate new employment opportunities, research prospects for academics, and a wealth of internship and graduate positions for UTS students. Remarkably, over 20% of SMC's workforce comprises UTS alumni. Furthermore, this collaboration has already yielded significant results with the launch of the Optimus satellite on March 5. Optimus represents a pioneering step towards sustainable space operations, offering life-extension services, inspections, and on-orbit assistance to existing space infrastructure and satellites, thereby heralding a new era in space sustainability.