Space Machines Is Taking Australia’s Space Tech To The Next Level — Here’s How

Australian space technology firm Space Machines Company has secured federal funding to develop advanced space domain awareness (SDA) technology. The project is backed by the Defence Trailblazer’s Accelerating Sovereign Industrial Capabilities program and aims to improve Australia’s ability to monitor and manage activity in space.

SDA is essential for understanding the space environment. It helps track objects, predict their movements, and detect possible threats. With space becoming more crowded, these capabilities are critical for security and operational control.

Developing Robotics for Space Operations

Space Machines Company, known for its work in on-orbit servicing (OOS), is designing a robotics testbed to advance space-borne perception and intelligence. The system will help spacecraft detect and assess nearby objects. It will also enable them to perform complex manoeuvres, execute rendezvous operations, and improve co-orbital space control.

Project lead Mark Ramsey highlighted the importance of this technology:

“The technology developed in the project underpins a range of proximity operations and servicing applications such as high-resolution inspection, satellite servicing, space control and space debris management that help safeguard space assets on-orbit.”

Collaboration With Industry And Academia

The project is a joint effort between Space Machines Company and leading research institutions. Partners include the Sentient Satellites Laboratory at the University of Adelaide, Scarlet Lab (a SmartSat CRC initiative), and Space Control STC at Defence Science Technology Group.

This collaboration brings together experts from defence, industry, and academia. Their goal is to advance SDA research and strengthen Australia’s position in space technology.

Professor Tat-Jun Chin, the project’s technical lead at the University of Adelaide, stressed the importance of addressing gaps in space technology:

“Currently, there is a lack of mature technologies that provide space-borne perception, and there are no orbital robotics testbeds in Australia. This project directly addresses this technical gap, which will greatly benefit the space industry.”

Advancing Australia’s Space Strategy

Australia’s growing reliance on space-based technology makes SDA a national priority. Strengthening these capabilities is essential for protecting assets, managing risks, and ensuring long-term security.

This project aligns with the country’s Sovereign Defence Industrial Priorities, which focus on autonomous systems, battlespace awareness, and systems assurance.

It also connects to Space Machines Company’s SPACE MAITRI mission, set for launch in 2026. The mission aims to develop on-orbit debris management solutions and could see the launch of Australia’s largest spacecraft to date, weighing around 500kg.

With this funding, Space Machines Company is pushing the boundaries of Australian space innovation. The project will help prepare the nation for new challenges in an increasingly complex space environment.