Australasian Space Innovation Institute launches
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The news: The Australasian Space Innovation Institute (ASII) launched today at the International Astronautical Congress as the successor to the SmartSat Cooperative Research Centre (CRC).
SmartSat CRC will see its federal government funding expire in June 2026.
The context: The SmartSat CRC facilitates space industry and research collaborations, including South Australia’s first locally designed and built small satellite, which was a collaboration between local data analytics business Myriota and satellite supplier Inovor Technologies.
The federal Department of Industry’s $55 million grant funding for the SmartSat CRC is scheduled to run from July 2019 and June 2026.
Australasian Space Innovation Institute and SmartSat CRC chief executive Andy Koronios told Capital Brief the new institute’s funding discussions are “commercially sensitive” but will come from multiple streams such as “partner memberships, co-investment in flagship programs, competitive grants, philanthropy, and fee-for-service activities”.
The ASII aims to continue to support the development of sovereign space capability and new technologies by “connecting end-users with industry and universities”.
It will include a focus on boosting productivity in the agricultural, resource, defence, disaster resilience and environmental stewardship sectors across four flagship programs:
- Australian agriculture national digital twin — A virtual model of the agricultural landscape integrating satellite, drone, sensor and climate data.
- Regional space-based surveillance — The Takahē Project aims to improve maritime awareness using a satellite formation.
- Digital infrastructure for disaster management — Establish a globally connected digital infrastructure, powered by satellite, AI, and advanced communications technologies, that strengthens emergency management and disaster resilience.
- Space-enabled digital innovation for regional and remote community resilience.
What they said: “ASII is about making space matter for people on the ground,” Koronios said.
“We will deploy and develop satellites, advanced communications and AI-enabled Earth observation to strengthen Australia’s digital infrastructure — transforming agriculture, mining, defence, climate resilience and community safety. Our mission is practical impact, sovereign capability and the public good.”
Minister for Industry and Innovation and for Science Senator Tim Ayres said: “It is good to see an organisation emerge from the CRC funding rounds with all of the support that is provided from Government, but also from industry partners, to graduate and emerge from that and continue to play what I'm confident will be a powerful role in in promoting the Australian space industry, and innovation and development."
The source: Australasian Space Innovation Institute media release
