Optus-led consortium to launch and operate sovereign LEO satellite

A consortium led by Optus is set to build, launch, and operate a sovereign low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite by 2028.

The consortium consists of satellite inspection software vendor HEO, aerospace company Inovor Technologies and various federal government entities – the Department of Education’s Innovative Launch, Automation, Novel Materials, Communications, and Hypersonics Hub (iLAuNCH) Trailblazer Universities Program and the Department of Defence’s Defence Science and Technology Group DSTG – in addition to the telco.

The satellite will be built by Inovor Technologies at Adelaide’s Lot Fourteen technology precinct. Meanwhile, two pieces of equipment will be developed under the federal government’s iLAuNCH Trailblazer Universities Program, which aims to bolster Australia’s sovereign space capability by developing a space technology sector.

Optus will handle operating the spacecraft from its Belrose Space Operations Centre in Sydney.

“Connectivity continues to play a critical role in the Australian economy,” said the telco’s head of satellite and space systems, Nick Leake.

“Whether that be through supporting small businesses in regional and remote towns or large enterprises with employees spread across the country, we must continue to explore new ways of delivering services that businesses rely on.

“By collaborating with Australia’s industry leaders across the public, private, and academic sectors, we can further advance the use of technology to solve problems, fuel growth, and define what’s next for the telco industry while supporting Australian businesses and Australian workers.”

Of the two pieces of equipment, the first is being created in a group led by Optus in partnership with HEO and the University of Southern Queensland, which includes the vendor’s specialised space telescope 20cm Adler Imager.

According to a statement from Optus, the Imager is designed to take high-resolution pictures of space objects, or non-earth imaging, to provide Defence, intelligence and civil government agencies and commercial customers with insights into these objects.

HEO senior partnerships manager Joann Yap said the partnership combines the vendor’s technological capabilities, Optus’ knowledge of deep satellite operations and the University of Southern Queensland’s research.

“This collective effort is strategically designed to deliver robust, sovereign space solutions that benefit our nation and allies, and propel the entire Australian space industry forward,” she said.

The second piece, which will be developed by the University of South Australia and supported by the space research centre SmartSat CRC, will include a compact communication terminal that uses optical technology to send and receive data between other satellites or ground terminals at fast speeds.

It will also include conventional radio frequency communications capability, supporting DSTG’s research and development activities in optical and LEO satellite communications.

Inovor Technologies CEO Dr Matthew Tetlow added that the project is a “great example of industry, academia, and government coming together to develop groundbreaking space technologies to catapult the Australian space sector forward”.

“For Inovor Technologies, this represents a significant milestone in our strategy to build larger, more capable spacecraft using the success we’ve achieved in orbit as a foundation to deliver genuine Australian-made space capability,” he said.

“This collaboration will strengthen our national space sovereignty by accelerating advanced satellite manufacturing, creating highly skilled jobs, and proving that Australia can lead in the global space industry.”

ARN understands that if demand rises, there will be room for future LEO satellite launches with room for new partners. However, the initial satellite will only support the partners involved in the consortium.