WA Government commits $6.5m in funding to local space research

The WA Government has announced $6.5 million in funding to support the local space industry.

The government says funds will be distributed over the next four years with a total of $4 million awarded to AROSE Ltd and $2.5 million to Curtin University.

The Curtin University-run Binar Space Program designs, develops, tests, builds and operates state-of-the-art small satellites, and four Binar satellites have been launched since 2021 with a further three launches expected to occur later this year.

The program also trains high school students, undergraduates, graduates and post-graduates in satellite design, manufacture and operation.

AROSE is a Perth-headquartered, not-for-profit, industry-led consortium which is committed to making Western Australia a world leader in remote operations both on Earth and in space. Its work includes national projects in bushfire detection and response, agriculture and defence, along with establishing new space and resources technology projects.

With this latest funding commitment from the WA Government, operations from both AROSE and Curtin University can continue to innovate and expand, further strengthening WA’s position as a hub for the growing space industry.

“Western Australia has the geography, expertise and ambition to be a key player in the space sector, and we’re making sure the right settings are in place to support long-term growth,” said Science and Innovation Minister Stephen Dawson. “Continuing to co-invest in both AROSE and the Binar Space Program is a clear display of our government’s commitment to enhancing our local space industry capability.

“The space industry is one of the nine identified sectors under Diversify WA and it is through investments such as this that we are able to continue diversifying and future-proofing the WA economy.”

Image: Binar 2, 3 and 4 shortly after deployment from the ISS. Credit: Japan Aerospace Exploration Company (JAXA)