Nano-satellite manufacturer Fleet Space Technologies has secured a Future Jobs Fund grant to construct a new mission control centre in Adelaide.
The Mission Control South Australia project will create 17 ongoing jobs in IT and advanced manufacturing, more than doubling Fleet Space’s current staff numbers.
Five additional jobs will be created during construction.
The $500,000 Future Jobs Fund grant will be matched by a $500,000 investment in the facility from Fleet Space Technologies, with new positions created to include mission operators, network operations specialists and technical support staff.
The Future Jobs Fund grant means the company can construct and run a mission control centre in Adelaide using local, in-house employees, and staff the centre 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week.
Fleet Space Technologies is currently engaged in multiple projects across the globe. The first of Fleet’s planned constellation of 100 nano-satellites is set to be launched this year.
Fleet Space Technologies manufacture ultra-low cost nano-satellites for applications such as
tracking livestock movements, environmental, soil and water monitoring and supply chain logistics.
The 2017-18 State Budget included $200 million towards a Future Jobs Fund to drive employment in South Australia and create ongoing jobs in the following key sectors:
- Health and biomedical research;
- IT and advanced manufacturing;
- Renewable energy and mining;
- Shipbuilding and defence;
- Tourism, food and wine.
“We want to put South Australia on the map as a space hub,” said Fleet CEO Flavia Tata Nardini. “While we have global ambitions, it is important to us that we continue to contribute to our local economy as we scale.
“South Australia is extremely well-positioned to take advantage of the opportunities that a space industry will bring, and thanks to ongoing support from the state government, we look set to do so.”
A total of 57 businesses have received offers of funding so far, for projects that will create 3,200 jobs in high-growth sectors.
Supported businesses include Robern Menz, MG Engineering, Entech Electronics, Minda, Como Glasshouse and Berry Sensation.
“This is a fantastic project that will strengthen South Australia’s bourgeoning space industry and attract the best and brightest to our state,” said South Australia treasurer Tom Koutsantonis.
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