BAE Australia welcomes National SmartSat CRC

BAE Systems Australia welcomes today’s announcement to establish a space industry focused SmartSat co-operative research centre (CRC).

BAE Systems is a partner member of this national CRC to be based in South Australia and expects it will be a catalyst that will transform Australia’s space industry through the development of advanced technologies.

The company has a long involvement in the space sector. In the 65 years that BAE Systems has worked in Australia, the company has grown its capability in space related technology and products including surveillance, rocket development, advanced sensor systems, and more recently, advanced CubeSats.

The role of partner members is to lead the direction of research aligned to future use and commercial outcomes. Key areas of focus include advanced communications and connectivity, next generation environmental data monitoring and advanced satellite systems, sensors and intelligence.

BAE Systems Australia Chief Executive, Gabby Costigan said:

“BAE Systems is delighted to be a partner of the SmartSat CRC. It will exponentially grow the collaboration that has begun in earnest in Australia’s space domain.

“It will be pivotal to the development of new Australian technologies, capable of significantly improving and transforming the nation’s economic performance.

“Space technologies will revolutionise the way we communicate, observe, analyse and interact with faster and more accurate information.

“The CRC will also increase our national security, ensuring that Australian industry provides the secure systems and data that we need in business and in our private lives.”