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Contents


SPACE

THE RIGHT SPACE TO GROW


South Australia’s burgeoning space sector is creating job opportunities for today and the tomorrows to come

 

The coming of both the Australian Space Agency (ASA) and the Defence and Space Landing Pad to Lot Fourteen, in Adelaide’s CBD, is propelling a constellation of new employment opportunities for this generation and the next. The ASA opened shop in Adelaide early this year, beginning work almost immediately on setting up the Australian Space Discovery Centre (ASDC) and Mission Control Centre, to be co-located with the agency at its North Terrace site. While new jobs are already being created during construction, it is the information and inspiration to be displayed inside the new facilities that will pave the way to new careers now and into the future.

At the heart of the ASDC, to open in 2021, will be a Careers Information Hub, complete with interactive screens that allow the curious to drill down into emerging space industry careers. Anyone will be able to use the Hub, with career information organised around the seven national civil space priority areas (see side bar) identified by the Australian Government for the development of the industry.

 

One such priority area is Earth observation or viewing our planet from space, and South Australia is already the home to several new satellite design and launch companies, with more local start-ups and international companies regularly knocking on our doors. What the Hub will make plain is that it is not just data scientists or software manufacturers who might score jobs with these companies. Technicians, with skills in precision machining, and electronics, to name a few, will be needed to make the satellites and their component parts. Each of the seven priority areas will be broken down into potential careers in this way.

 

Richard Price, chief executive officer of Defence SA and the South Australian Space Industry Centre, which established the Defence and Space Landing Pad, says the misconception about who will work in the hi-tech companies coming to SA is one the industry must conquer.

 

The Landing Pad attracts international companies to SA, by providing a supportive, well-connected base from which to develop and link with existing companies in the defence and space ecosystem. “It’s all about making it easy to come and set up your business in SA,” Price says, with 10 entities now under its guidance, all with the potential to grow and provide new opportunities. 

 

In a campaign called Find Your Place, Defence SA is raising awareness about the jobs likely to be on offer. “From software engineers, cyber security, logistics, planners, schedulers, human resources, marketing and sales, there’s every conceivable type of career in these industries,” Price says.

 

Seven of the world’s top 10 defence industry companies have a presence in SA, creating a strong and growing concentration of economic growth and job creation for the future. Find Your Place has been up and running for four months, implemented across social media, highlighting career opportunities and education and training pathways available in the state.

 

“It’s a broad awakening program, addressing people at TAFE or university, to open their eyes to the jobs they can apply their education to,” Price says. “But it also talks to 14-15-year-olds, who really haven’t imagined yet what it is they want to do. There are high technology careers open to you today in the state and it’s exciting stuff, and these are well-paid jobs.”

 

Back at the ASA, it is hoped that as the ASDC and Mission Control Centre come online next year, more and more people will be able to learn that space is not the sole domain of astronauts and astrophysicists. Both TAFE and university qualifications will be relevant for many jobs, proving you don’t need to be 18, male and doing a mechanical engineering degree, to find a pathway into the industry. People of all genders and ages can be inspired by the centre’s Careers Information Hub, Space Gallery and special viewing area, where they can occasionally watch the work happening inside the Mission Control Centre monitoring all those new satellites, supervising launches and dreaming of the stars.

 

THE SEVEN NATIONAL CIVIL SPACE PRIORITY AREAS

 

Position, navigation and timing is critical for many areas of the Australian economy, including agriculture and mining. 

 

Earth observation has untapped potential to grow Australia’s economy, for example, by improving agricultural monitoring, water management, and monitoring shipping routes.  Communications technologies and services: Australia can play a lead role in emerging technologies such as lasers for data communication, quantum technologies for secure communication and hybrid radio and optical communications. 

 

Space situational awareness and debris monitoring help avoid damaging and even fatal collisions in space. Australia’s geographical position makes it an ideal location for space debris tracking and space traffic management activities. 

 

Leapfrog R&D: Australia can encourage and support research that inspires, identify areas to develop and commercialise R&D that would grow and transform our space sector. Areas of opportunity include new rocket technology, new hi-tech materials, space medicine, synthetic biology, quantum communications, in-orbit servicing, and optical wireless communication technologies.

 

Robotics and automation on Earth and in space: Australia is a world leader in remote asset management in industries including mining, oil and gas, transport, agriculture and fisheries. Australia can leverage its expertise in robotics technology and systems for remote operation and exploration in space. 

 

Access to space: There are emerging opportunities for Australia to leverage international space missions and commercial launch activities from Australian territory. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TENANTS OF THE LANDING PAD

 

  • Adexflow International: a software company specialising in information management that designs, distributes and integrates software applications.
  • LGM: a French engineering services company specialising in customer support and specialised engineering services, with clients including aviation giants Naval Group, Airbus, BAE Systems, Thales, Safran and Alstom.

  • SpaceSpecialists Ltd: offers consultancy, recruitment and training and talks for the space sector worldwide.

  • Cognitive Companions: company transformation project specialists.

  • Squad Australia: a subsidiary of French cyber defence group Squad, it aims to become a leader of cyber security in Australia

  • SE4 Space: (arriving in November): SE4 is a new kind of “software for robotics” company, specialising in remote robotics using VR, enabling remote operation at vast distances, including space, underground or underwater.

  • BV Maritime: a world-leading classification society and offshore verification body, with engineers and technologists dedicated to ship and offshore safety and efficiency.

  • Naval Group Pacific: represents international Naval Group’s activities for all products and services including surface ships, systems, combat systems and through-life cycle services, outside the Attack Class submarine program.

  • Saber Astronautics: mission operations software specialists from concept, development and testing through to long-term operation and even deployment of large constellations of space assets.

  • Gravity Challenge: a global technology innovation program for corporates, entrepreneurs and universities to design and build solutions to real industry, social and environmental problems using space data and capability.


LIKE NO OTHER PLACE

7 SOUTH AUSTRALIAN EXPERIENCES TO HAVE AT LEAST ONCE

 

Is there anything better than a brilliant travel experience? One that makes your heart race, your camera shutter go wild or your adrenaline shoot right up? And while we often think of overseas destinations as the places to experience some of the world’s best sights, sounds and tastes, there’s a lot to explore in our own backyard.

 

These should be at the top of your list of things to try with breathtaking beaches, electrifying experiences and seriously good wine, there’s something for everyone in South Australia. Below, we’ve rounded up seven of our favourite experiences to have in the southernmost state this coming summer. 

 

See the bush from the air

One of the most luxurious ways to travel is via helicopter, that much is true. Experience the famed Chace Range from the sky in a dedicated helicopter flight with Helistar, before setting up for the night in a luxury camp. In the morning, your dedicated pilot will collect you. How’s that for a romantic experience? 

 

Be transported underwater

No, it’s not Tulum or Portugal, it’s Kilsby Sinkhole outside of Mount Gambier. Serene and otherworldly, this famous dive site is worth a visit. One of the country’s best dive locations, the limestone-buffed sinkhole boasts gorgeous crystal clear waters and pristine visibility. Whether you’re up for a dive or just want to taste the local gin, there’s something for everyone. 

 

Experience Coffin Bay

If sweeping white sand beaches and tasting fresh oysters straight from the rock sounds like your idea of heaven, then a tour of Coffin Bay is a must. Take a private boat tour to really soak up the serenity and explore everything from oyster farms to seals lazing on the rocks. If you’re lucky enough to spot dolphins while at sea, well, congratulations. Get set, relax. 

 

 


 

TASTE WINE FROM THE BEST

You might have spotted the famous d'Arenberg Cube in McLaren Vale on Instagram before, but it’s high time to visit for yourself. Located overlooking the rolling hills of Willunga, the architecturally stunning building provides design buffs and wine connoisseurs plenty to stay busy with. From wine tasting to devouring the region’s best produce, the d'Arenberg Cube proves an ample opportunity to soak up (and drink!) the best of the much-loved wine region. 

 

Eat with a view

Hentley Farm Cellar Door and Restaurant is one for the foodies. Nestled in the hills of the Barossa, Hentley Farm is a food and a wine experience worth having. Sip on local wines and snack on the region's best produce, it's a must-do experience that combines the culinary powers of the state with incredible views. 

 

Stay on Kangaroo Island

One of Australia’s most beautiful natural locations, Kangaroo Island has bounced back from recent bushfires and is ready for visitors. For those looking for the ultimate in luxury, One KI is the island’s best private luxury beachfront accommodation, mixing sustainable architecture with gorgeous design. Located right on the beach, a stay at One KI includes gourmet meals made with local produce and the chance to interact with some of the state’s most intriguing wildlife, including (you guessed it!) kangaroos, dolphins and echidnas. For a getaway that’ll have you wishing you never booked a return flight, this is the place to stay. 

 

Swimming with dolphins and sea lions

One of life’s greatest joys - swimming with dolphins - is made possible in South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula. Spectacularly beautiful, this natural wonder is home to thousands of friendly bottlenose dolphins and Australian sea lions. At Baird Bay Ocean Eco Experience, you can swim with them both, immersing yourself in the stunning natural environment and enjoying a playful experience with these smart and interesting mammals.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


SPACE

SPACE MACHINES ARE GO


One of the quiet achievers of Lot Fourteen’s mushrooming space economy is working on a project that will make history for Australia and, it hopes, lead the way to making space more accessible for all.

 

Space Machines Company is working with Gilmour Space Technologies to launch a 35kg spacecraft into orbit in 2022. The company will be the first Australian customer for the maiden launch by Gilmour’s Eris rocket but, perhaps more importantly, it could be the first Australian payload on an Australian rocket launched from an Australian launch site.

 

Co-founders Rajat Kulshrestha and George Freney see the project as the first of many to be developed at their Adelaide headquarters, believing mobility in space and space transport are to key to the future success of the entire industry.

 

“Both George and I thought that when we look at key industries out there and look at what’s been the major enabler of those industries in the past, it’s safe, capable and cost-effective transportation,” chief executive Kulshrestha says.

 

“Our belief is that space is not an exception to this. We believe that with space launch companies like SpaceX, Rocket Lab and Gilmour making it easier to access space, there is a need for space-based transportation to go the last mile, to really provide that flexibility in space, whether that’s a mission in lower Earth orbit or geostationary or beyond.”

 

That notion led them to create the company in January 2019 and, last year, establish a base at the Stone & Chalk startup hub at Lot Fourteen in Adelaide, close to the Australian Space Agency, with the intention of building everything from space tugs to a range of vehicles to allow for in-space transportation. Space is one of the high-growth industry focus sectors at Lot Fourteen global innovation precinct, which is also home to the SmartSat CRC and other pioneering local space industry companies.

 

“Our vision is to be an infrastructure company for space and part of that is in-space transportation,” Kulshrestha says. “It forms the key platform on which construction and manufacture in space is enabled, the ability to move things around.”

 

“As we look at our transportation services, these vehicles we are designing ... will allow movement and mobility of everything from a very small satellite to a large multi-tonne apparatus.” 

 

 

By providing these services, the company wants to expand access to the space economy. “Our machines will service objects in space, de-orbit them and maintain them,” Kulshrestha adds. “For us the word is mobility. In-space mobility is where the next growth will come.

 

“At the moment, it’s a very, very hard journey for a customer to put something into space. Our view is it should be as easy as hailing an Uber. It’s really around taking the complexity away.”

 

Freney, who is also director of strategy for SMC, says that simplification will benefit companies like those at Lot Fourteen - Myriota, Fleet Space Systems and Inovor - all of which want to launch satellites into space.

 

“We are looking at making it easier and more cost effective for them to deploy and manage their satellite constellations,” Freney says. “It’s a direct impact on the cost of these services to people on the ground. It’s cheaper to get their satellites up and it ends up being cheaper for the consumer.” 

 

For now, SMC’s focus is on their first, ground-breaking project and working hard with Gilmour Space Technologies ready for the 2022 launch. 

 

“We call the mission Rollout but the name of the spacecraft will be Optimus 1,” Kulshrestha laughs. “You leave it to the engineers to come up with names and there are a lot of Transformer fans out there.”

 

In Transformer lore, Optimus Prime is the first and best of the Autobots, so it makes perfect sense to SMC that their machine should have such a moniker. The flight itself will test the company’s subsystems in preparation for commercial flights to come.

 

With a staff of just 10, the company will recruit a mix of local talent and those with international experience as the project grows. “It’s such a holistic endeavour that you need everyone from engineering to testing to production and some manufacturing,” Kulshrestha says.

 

Freney adds: “It’s not just super technical jobs created by companies like this. There are what I like to describe as jobs for everyone around bookkeeping, legal work, all of the business stuff and advanced manufacturing. Companies like ours create hi-tech jobs but also a whole range of other work for people with different skills.”

 

With the clock ticking down to the 2022 launch, Kulshrestha says the company will be creating history as it goes: “I think there will be a lot of firsts we hope to share as we go. It’s really the first time Australia will be involved in the upstream manufacture of spacecraft at that scale.”