The federal government has been increasing new security requirements for the military as space becomes a potential theatre of war and a data super-highway.

As the country’s biggest space tender closed for satellites and ground stations at an expected cost of $3-4 billion early this year, aerospace giant Airbus released new research that will back its bid for the first sovereign defence satellite communications system. 

Airbus Defence and Space said the new analysis shows how its approach to the first defence satellite communications system will bring an additional $437 million to the Australian economy.

The company said it would work alongside systems used by the United States, United Kingdom and other Five Eyes partners. Airbus also stated that it would need two satellites rather than a four-satellite system in order

to keep costs down. 

Airbus last year formed “Team Maier” with Australian space and technology companies and universities. 

Research issued on Monday assessed the benefits that Team Maier would deliver between 2021 and 2032. 

On top of economic benefits, the Deloitte Access Economics research found the approach would deliver an additional 133 full-time equivalent positions each year, equating to 1463 jobs over the contract period. 

To develop the local supply chain, Team Maier would incorporate five Indigenous businesses and 12 other enterprises into the Airbus supply chain, with dozens more firms to be drawn into the process. 

Team members include technology and encryption specialists Blacktree Technology, Canberra’s Penten, Clearbox Systems, Sydney-based ground-control infrastructure specialist UGL, Surrey Satellite Technology and Indigenous and veteran-owned Willyama. 

“Developing a world-class, globally competitive space industry takes time,” Airbus executive Ben Bridge said. 

“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.” 

The research calculated an additional dividend for Australia’s space industry through investment in skills and workforce development, innovation and R&D, as well as entry into global supply chains.  

Across the span of the project, the research found Team Maier would add $12.5 million in investment in educational facilities and learning opportunities and a pipeline of talent through scholarships. 

Innovation and R&D would include $8.6 million to attract innovation, $16.6 million for payloads and $35.7 million on satellite assembly, integration, and testing for harsh environments. 

 With AAP

Eliza Sayon

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Eliza is a content producer and editor at Public Spectrum. She is an experienced writer on topics related to the government and to the public, as well as stories that uplift and improve the community.

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