Eveleigh is now home to the National Space Industry Hub, a centre that offers office space, resources, mentoring and connections for emerging space ventures.
Read: Carriageworks Redfern Closed For Significant Upgrades
The hub is part of Sydney’s Tech Central Precinct, considered as the largest technology and innovation hub in Australia with its 250,000 square metres of space for technology companies.
The first residents of the hub are the Space Industry Association of Australia, the government-backed NSW Space Research Network and the NSW Node of the SmartSat Cooperative Research Centre (CRC).
Coinciding with the launch of the National Space Industry Hub, the NSW Government has also introduced Fast Start, an intense six-month mentoring and coaching program aimed at helping companies to commercialise innovative ideas.
Extraterrestrial Power, a company that supports space missions by producing advanced silicon solar cells, is one of the participants of the program, along with Amentum Aerospace, which specialises in predictive scientific modelling software that enhances operational planning for space missions.
Both companies will receive a six-month tailored program of mentoring and coaching, access to state-of-the-art rapid prototyping facilities and a dedicated workspace at the hub.
The hub has appointed Tim Parsons as its expert-in-residence to conduct one-on-one sessions with participating teams. Aside from investing in space startup companies and helping UTS Tech Lab to increase its exposure to the space industry ecosystem, Mr Parsons is also chair of the Space Industry Association of Australia, the industry’s peak body.
Minister for Science, Innovation and Technology, and Minister for Skills and Training Alister Henskens said guaranteeing a talent pipeline of highly skilled workers was critical to ensuring NSW remains competitive in the space race.
“NSW already has an incredible depth of talent in the space industry however we need to continue to grow this pipeline to ensure the industry thrives,” Mr Henskens said.
The National Space Industry Hub is delivered by Cicada Innovations and supported by the NSW Government.