The Morrison Government is supporting Australian space manufacturers to grow and seize opportunities to expand into global supply chains through the $1.3 billion Modern Manufacturing Initiative (MMI). 

The MMI is the centrepiece of the Morrison Government’s $1.5 billion Modern Manufacturing Strategy, designed to position Australia as a globally recognised, high-quality and sustainable manufacturing nation. 

Under round one of the Integration and Translation streams of the MMI, four space companies will share in nearly $14 million in funding, including rocket engine designer EffusionTech. 

EffusionTech will use its $1.2 million in funding to develop and manufacture low cost, durable and high performance liquid fuelled rocket engines for the growing commercial launch market. 

Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Christian Porter said Australia has unique opportunities when it comes to space manufacturing. 

“These grants will help bolster Australia’s reputation in the growing global civil space industry and build on the important work being led by our Australian Space Agency,” Minister Porter said. 

“From satellites, to componentry in sensors and even rocket engines, Australian manufacturers are drawing on our existing advanced manufacturing expertise to launch into new exciting local and global markets. 

“This funding is about creating more opportunities to grow our local space industry, unlocking further investment and delivering the skilled jobs we need now and for the future.” 

Other successful Space recipients under the Initiative are:

• Titomic (Vic) will use its $2.3 million in funding to commercialise the manufacture of space vehicle and satellite parts using green titanium for Australia’s growing space sector and for overseas export. 
• Q-CTRL (NSW) will use its $4.5 million in funding to expand the manufacture of novel remote sensing payloads for space deployment. 
• Romar Engineering (NSW) will use its $5.8 million in funding to manufacture and deploy space fluid and motion control products for future space missions. 

Announcements of successful projects under the Integration and Translation streams of the MMI in the Medical Products and Resources Technology and Critical Minerals sectors will be made soon, with other National Manufacturing Priority areas to follow. 

The remaining sectors are Food and Beverage, Recycling and Clean Energy, and Defence. Given the positive response from industry and strength of applications in this initial round, the Government has increased funding from $140 million to $200 million. 

To learn more about the Strategy and the MMI visit www.industry.gov.au/manufacturing