Aerospace – your investment opportunity
Queensland is the centre for Australia’s aerospace industry, and a research and development hub for emerging aviation technologies.
Thanks to a rich history in the field and unique geographical strengths, Queensland is emerging as one of the top destinations for aerospace research and development in the world.
Skyrocketing expansion
Generating A$1.26 billion and growing at a rate of 7 per cent per year, Queensland’s space industry is becoming recognised as a leading centre in Australasia for:
- launch activities,
- ground systems,
- Earth observation, and
- niche manufacturing.
Already known as an aviation hub in the Asia–Pacific region, Queensland hosts more than 31 per cent of establishments within the Australian aerospace segment – including more than half of the world’s top 10 aerospace companies. With the goal of tripling the size of Australia’s space economy by 2030, now’s the perfect time to join our ambitious ‘space race’.
Australia’s space coast
Queensland’s natural advantages make it ideal for developing a successful space industry. Its east coast position is crucial, as this is the preferred direction for launches. With a strategic location close to the equator, those launches are also far less costly.
To support these unique advantages, Queensland has radio free areas and clear skies – alongside remote internet and data backhaul services. Because of a historic focus on mining and the geographical need to operate remotely, Queensland also leads Australia in advanced robotics, automation, and remote asset management.
World class research and development
Attracting some of the world’s brightest minds with its leading research and development infrastructure, Queensland has five universities and institutes that are leading the way in applied research and commercial work in:
- hypersonic technology and reusable rockets,
- manufacturing of space systems (including satellites),
- advanced astronautical engineering,
- artificial intelligence, computer image processing, and robotics, and
- autonomous systems and data.
Queensland also contains the Mount Kent Observatory, which hosts a dedicated exoplanet observation facility that conducts frontline research into stellar magnetic activity and holds collaborative partnerships with global research institutions and space agencies.
Launched in 2018, the Queensland Aerospace 10-Year Roadmap and Action Plan is positioning Queensland as a leading centre for aerospace innovation in Australasia and South East Asia.
The Queensland Government also launched the Queensland Space Industry Strategy in February 2020.
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Queensland – home of Gilmour Space Technologies
In addition to the presence of significant global players in the space industry – including Airbus, Boeing, and Northrop Grumman – Queensland is the base of operations for Gilmour Space Technologies.
A rocket company developing next-generation hybrid propulsion launch vehicles, Gilmour is designing launchers for production and ease of operation – providing customers with reliable and cost-effective access to space.
“Our sustained and rapid growth has seen us pass through 100 employees, and we’re tracking well to launch our first commercial Eris rocket to orbit in 2022,” says the CEO of Gilmour Space CEO, Adam Gilmour.
Gilmour recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Griffith University to oversee the development of locally developed low Earth orbit (LEO) prototype satellites, set for launch in 2023.
This partnership will see the development of a new class of small satellite, called the G-Sat, which will grant PhD students the opportunity to work in Gilmour Space Technologies’ labs – developing sensors and software programs for the project.
On being a Queensland space business, Mr Gilmour notes that “Queensland, with its attractive geography and confluence of leading launch companies, is well positioned to be the national hub for launch and manufacturing in Australia.”
Want to get involved?
For more about Queensland’s growing space industry and how to get involved, connect with Trade and Investment Queensland’s global team of advisors and sector specialists.
