Australian Space Manufacturing Network Awarded $52 Million

The Australian Space Manufacturing Network (ASMN), led by Gilmour Space, has been awarded a \$52 million Modern Manufacturing Initiative Collaboration (MMIC) grant to develop sovereign space capabilities in Australia. 

The MMIC is a federal grant initiative that aims to promote collaboration across six different industries, including space. Under the initiative, the collaborative stream provides funding for a small number of large transformational projects.

Adam Gilmour, CEO of Gilmour Space, commented on the success of the ASMN in securing MMIC funding.    

“This is big news for our Australian Space Manufacturing Network (ASMN) partners, and for commercial space in Australia.” 

“Rockets and satellites are key enablers of the global space economy. The co-funding will provide timely support for emerging space manufacturers to develop and mature significant space capabilities in Australia.” 

“Details have yet to be provided, but we and our ASMN partners intend to leverage this grant to engage in the full spectrum of space activities, from research and development to advanced manufacturing and launch. These efforts will help grow the industry and deliver real civil, commercial and defence benefits for the nation."

The MMIC grant will be used by Gilmour Space and the ASMN to support the development of an Advanced Manufacturing Facility for building satellites and rockets in Australia, and a Common Use Testing and Manufacturing Facility to provide framework and infrastructure for collaboration within the space industry. The grant will also be used to co-fund a portion of the proposed Bowen Orbital Spaceport at Abbot Point.

“Australia’s space sector has already taken leaps and bounds and is globally recognised. The race is on in the \$600 billion global space economy and the Australian Space Manufacturing Network will help cement the incredible opportunities for local companies to be part of the excitement of launch,” Minister for Industry, Energy and Emissions Reduction Angus Taylor said.   

“From testing to manufacture, to assembly and finally launch, this project will harness great Aussie know-how to attract further private investment and create hundreds of high-skilled and high-value jobs. This is a big win for Queensland jobs.”

“Through the work of the Australian Space Agency, we already know that space technologies are playing an increasingly important role on earth, supporting navigation systems which draw on them in our cars and smartphones and by farmers to monitor the health of their crops.”   

Minister for Science and Technology Melissa Price said this grant was another example of the expansion of the Australian space industry and the benefits it will yield.

“This investment will rocket us toward our goal of tripling the size of the Australian space sector to $12 billion and creating up to an extra 20,000 new jobs by 2030,” Minister Price said.

“Space and manufacturing go hand in hand. By backing this project we are ensuring Australia can deliver across the entire space supply chain, from design and manufacturing through to launch and operation.”

“It also emphasises to our young people that there are a range of jobs with all different skills that are available to them in space, from actual rocket scientists through to space tradies.”

As an awardee of the MMIC grant, Gilmour Space has been hailed by Member for Fadden Stuart Robert as a prime example of the rapidly growing industry in the Queensland backyard. 

“We are investing in Australian manufacturers to make them more competitive, resilient and able to scale up to secure the industries of the future.

“Gilmour Space Technologies are a great example of a local manufacturer using cutting-edge innovation and ingenuity to compete in global markets while keeping jobs right here on the Gold Coast.”