Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Space
  • /
  • BAE Systems Australia welcomes National SmartSat CRC

Space

BAE Systems Australia welcomes National SmartSat CRC

BAE Systems Australia welcomes today’s announcement to establish a space industry focused SmartSat cooperative 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.

Advertisement
ODU RT

 
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.
 
Advertisement
ODU RT

BAE Systems Australia Chief Executive, Gabby Costigan (above) 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.”

 

Advertisement
FIA2026 animated banner
Viasat AERA enters Boeing technical evaluation process

Aerospace Space Events

Viasat AERA enters Boeing technical evaluation process

14 April 2026

During the Aircraft Interior Expo (AIX) today, Viasat announced it has entered Boeing’s technical evaluation process to assess and qualify Viasat AERA, the company’s next-gen electronically steered antenna (ESA) terminal, across all current Boeing commercial airplane programmes.

Pulsar

Space

Pulsar's Sunbird set to reduce mission fuel requirements

14 April 2026

UK-based Pulsar Fusion, which is developing advanced propulsion technologies for satellite and deep-space markets, has revealed that its Sunbird fusion-powered space tug could reduce in-space propellant requirements for missions comparable to Artemis II by more than 90%, potentially reshaping the economics of deep-space exploration.

North East

Space

North East's landmark space centre reaches major construction milestone

9 April 2026

Topping out ceremony marks pivotal moment for centre backed by £50 million investment set to transform the region's space economy.

Bright Ascension software helps support AAC Clyde Space VIREON satellites

Space

Bright Ascension software helps support AAC Clyde Space VIREON satellites

7 April 2026

Bright Ascension's flight software has helped support the successful launch of two VIREON Earth observation satellites, developed by AAC Clyde Space.

Advertisement
ODU RT
Artemis II lifts off: destination Moon with the Orion spacecraft

Space

Artemis II lifts off: destination Moon with the Orion spacecraft

2 April 2026

Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen have taken off from Kennedy Space Center, bound for the Moon. More than 50 years after Apollo, this first crewed flight beyond low Earth orbit marks a historic milestone for NASA’s Artemis programme. The stakes are twofold: to validate the Orion spacecraft's systems and hardware essential ...

Space Scotland hosts international forum in Edinburgh

Space Events

Space Scotland hosts international forum in Edinburgh

2 April 2026

Senior diplomats from 20 countries and some of Scotland’s most innovative space companies gathered in Edinburgh to turn international interest into tangible partnerships at 'Space Connects the World: Consular Corps Scottish Space Forum'.

Advertisement
ODU RT
Advertisement
FIA2026 animated banner