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Airbus, a global leader in aerospace technology, has published a study to support its proposal for Australia’s first sovereign defence satellite communications system.
With space becoming both a potential theater of conflict and a data superhighway, the military now faces new security challenges, and the federal government is under pressure to make a decision faster than ever.
The largest Australian space tender, which was for satellites and ground stations and was projected to cost $3–4 billion, closed in January.
Airbus Defence and Space said new analysis shows its approach will bring an additional $437 million to the Australian economy, over and above spending on Joint Project-9102.
According to Airbus, it would be compatible with systems employed by the United States, the United Kingdom, and other Five Eyes partners and would only require two satellites as opposed to a four-satellite system, which would help keep costs down.
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Last year, Airbus formed “Team Maier” with Australian space and technology companies and universities.
The study evaluated the advantages Team Maier might provide between 2021 and 2032.
In addition to the economic advantages, the method would create an additional 133 full-time equivalent employment annually, totaling 1463 jobs over the course of the contract.
Team Maier would integrate five Indigenous businesses and 12 other businesses into the Airbus supply chain, with dozens more businesses to be attracted to the process to further develop the local supply chain.
Blacktree Technology, a leader in technology and encryption, Clearbox Systems, Penten of Canberra, UGL of Sydney, Surrey Satellite Technology and the indigenous and veteran-owned Willyama are all part of the team.
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Airbus executive Ben Bridge said, “Developing a world-class, globally competitive space industry takes time.”
“The opportunity cost of not investing today is that Australia will miss a critical opportunity to create a step-change in the trajectory of its domestic space industry,” Bridge added.
The study determined that spending on training and workforce development, innovation and R&D, as well as integration into international supply chains, would increase Australia’s space industry’s dividend.
According to the study, Team Maier would invest an additional $12.5 million over the course of the project in learning opportunities, educational facilities, and a talent pipeline through scholarships.
A total of $35.7 million would be spent on the assembly, integration, and testing of satellites for hostile environments, $16.6 million would be allocated for payloads, and $8.6 million would be used to promote innovation.
Jaw de Guzman is the content producer for Comms Room, a knowledge platform and website aimed at assisting the communications industry and its professionals.
