Space industries

Western Australia is an Indo-Pacific Space Hub.

Western Australia has played a significant role in the global space industry for over 60 years, supporting international space agencies and the commercial space sector.

Home to clear skies, vast land expanses, and geographic latitude and longitude ideal for space activities. Western Australia is involved in a range of space domains, hosts significant space infrastructure and is home to more than 130 International and Australian organisations operating space and space related services.

This is supported by a vibrant research and technology sector with significant intersection between space and terrestrial industries across mining, energy, agriculture, defence and maritime.

Why Western Australia

Ideal latitude and longitude and environmental conditions for space activities.

Strong partnerships with international space organisations.

Comprehensive capabilities and the largest radio telescope in the world.

Emerging as a critical space hub for the global industry

Cross sector demand for space related services and products. 

Vibrant research and development ecosystem. 

Skilled workforce with a continuous pipeline of talent.

 

Western Australia's Space Infrastructure


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Key projects

 

 

 

 

 

For more case studies of our space industry read the Western Australia Space Industry Strategy 2024-30

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Australian Remote Operations for Space and Earth (AROSE)

In 2020, the Western Australian Government co-invested in the establishment of the Australian Remote Operations for Space and Earth (AROSE) Ltd in Perth. Founded by Col. Pamela Melroy (ex-Deputy Administrator of NASA) and Russell Potapinski (former Head of Autonomous Systems at Woodside Energy), AROSE is a not-for-profit, industry-led entity that catalyses knowledge transfer between terrestrial and space industry to benefit all industries.

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Australian Space Automation, AI and Robotics Control Complex (SpAARC)

The Space Automation, AI and Robotics and Control Complex (SpAARC), operated by Fugro Australia, is a world-class facility for training, testing and controlling remote and autonomous operations in space and other harsh environments. Established through investments from Fugro Australia, the Australian Government and the Western Australian Government, it officially opened in November 2022 in the Perth CBD.

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TeraNet, UWA

In 2023, the University of Western Australia secured Australian Government and Western Australian Government funding to establish TeraNet, a $6.3 million Western Australian optical communications network. Optical communications are 1,000 times faster than current satellite communications. TeraNet is being established in collaboration with the European Space Agency, French and German space agencies and Thales Australia, positioning Western Australia to capture a share of the global satellite communications market.

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Binar Space Program

Curtin University’s Binar Space Program is Australia’s most advanced university spacecraft R&D program. Since 2021, the Western Australian Government has supported the Binar Space Program’s operations and outreach activities, with Western Australia’s first satellite, Binar-1, launched into space in 2021 and a further three satellites launched in 2024.

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Establishment of commercial satellite infrastructure

In 2024, the Western Australian Government co-invested with LatConnect 60 AI to establish commercial satellite assembly infrastructure in Western Australia. The initiative will support the ongoing build of Earth observation satellites, focusing on monitoring methane emissions, enhanced vegetation and soil analysis. The data will aid industries in adhering to environmental regulations and achieving net-zero carbon mandates.

Why Western Australia

Western Australia has significant capabilities in the space industry sector with the following advantages and opportunities:

Location

  • Southern Hemisphere location and longitude ideal for launch and returns, space tracking and global coverage of space assets.
  • Ideal environmental conditions: geologically stable with clear skies, large arid areas with minimal radio interference and radio-quiet zones.

Technology and infrastructure

  • Substantial capabilities in space mission operations; hardware; space enabled services and data analytics; technology transfer; astronomy; and planetary science.
  • Substantial local capability in ground infrastructure establishment, operations and maintenance.
  • Strong economy with a significant demand for space data, satellite services, and technology transfer with Western Australia’s key industries (mining, energy, agriculture, defence, maritime).

Expertise network

  • Partnerships and extensive activity with international space agencies and private space companies.
  • Vibrant R&D ecosystem: home to five universities and various research institutions with established expertise in space sciences and related fields.
  • Diverse and highly skilled workforce, with a pipeline of skilled workers in space and space-related fields.

More information

NEWS

Western Australia’s tech talent arrive on the international stage

Some of Western Australia’s smartest tech talent has represented the State at a global technology festival. The first ever virtual London Tech Week (LTW) was held in 2020 and remained an online event this year for international participants due to COVID-19 restrictions.

News

Showcasing WA at London International Food and Drink Event 2024

Get in touch

If you are looking for opportunities in business, investment or trade, contact our experienced team at Invest and Trade WA.

Our in-house experts can support you directly and provide referrals or introductions across our network of overseas offices, industry bodies and government agencies.

 

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