Australian Space Industry and Gilmour Space Technologies Get a $65 Million Boost

The local space industry, including the rocket company Gilmour Space Technologies, recently received generous funding from the Australian Government. Over $65 million will go towards financing the development of launchpad infrastructure and the Australian Space Agency’s (ASA) work towards providing spaceflights. The launch permits for Abbot Point in Queensland and Whaler’s Way in South Australia are already secured, and the funding through the newly established Space Infrastructure Fund can finance the development of one more site. However, the chief executive of Gilmour Space Technologies, Adam Gilmour, said that he wished more money would have gone to launch vehicles developed in Australia.

Gilmour Space Technologies Welcomes the Funding

Gilmour Space Technologies, handles the building of the launch site at Abbot Point. He sees the money as having a positive impact on locally developed space technologies. In turn, this will benefit the whole of Australia with new opportunities, jobs, and much more. Therefore, Adam Gilmour thinks this support to grow component companies, satellite development, and building of spaceports is fantastic. At the same time, the head of Gilmour Space Technologies also voiced concerns about whether the money will also go to Australian-owned launch vehicle manufacturers.

Australian Government Has High Hopes for the Space Sector

Scott Morrison, Australia’s Prime Minister, was enthusiastic about the investment and said it enables Australians to participate in space exploration and even become astronauts. Thanks to companies like Gilmour Space Technologies, Australians can develop equipment as part of the Civil Space Strategy, which has received a substantial amount of funding since 2018. Steven Marshall, the South Australia Premier, added that the 1600 jobs created around space-related services are only the beginning. South Australia is already the home of over 90 companies developing space products, and these numbers are bound to grow. The Chief Executive Officer of Southern Launch, Lloyd Damp, also agreed that this investment in Gilmour Space Technologies and other Australian space companies boosts the nation’s space future.