I have put together publiclyavailable information over time sourced from Space Machines, ANT61, TheAustralian Government, The Indian Government and the University of Sydney whichin my opinion all genuine shareholders should be aware of as it makes clearthat Brainchip’s partnership with ANT61 has a number of solid far reachingimplications particularly when you take into account Brainchip’s involvementwith EDGX, ESA, TATA and NASA:
Space Machines Company Pty Ltd
Project title
Space MAITRI
Project information
Space Machines Company (SMC) will lead Space MAITRI(Mission for Australia-India’s Technology, Research and Innovation), a jointindustry-led Australian-Indian Mission to demonstrate progress towards spacedebris management and a sustainable space future. Space MAITRI will incorporatean Australian built Orbital Servicing Vehicle, launched on a dedicated Indianlauncher. MAITRI will demonstrate advanced manufacturing, ArtificialIntelligence and sustainability technologies through Australian-Indian space sectorcooperation and supply chain partnerships. The project will showcase strategicalignment between the two nations across space technology innovation, researchand development.
Grant amount (ex GST)
Funding for Australian-Indianspace projects
30 April 2024
The Australian Government isinvesting in collaborative space projects between Australia and India,strengthening the partnership of our nations and addressing combined challengeslike climate change.
Three projects have been offereda total of $18 million under the International Space Investment India Projectsprogram:
·LatConnect60 (WA) has been awarded almost $5.8million to develop and build a Low Earth Orbit satellite in Australia tocollect information on carbon emissions at a very high resolution. Thesatellite will be launched from India, and aims to significantly lower the costof data acquisition and insight generation of key indicators like methane andcarbon dioxide – supporting our agriculture and resources sectors to achieveemissions reduction and Net Zero targets.
·Space Machines Company (NSW) has been awarded morethan $8.5 million for Space MAITRI (Mission for Australia-India’s Technology,Research and Innovation) - demonstrating advanced concepts such as on-orbittransportation and space debris mitigation. Space MAITRI will incorporate anAustralian-built Orbital Servicing Vehicle, sent into space on a dedicatedIndian launcher.
·Skykraft (ACT) has been awarded $3.7 million topropose and validate a new Position, Navigation and Timing system. The ultimateaim is to better connect large-scale satellite constellations, which are vitalfor Earth observation and forecasting weather.
Each project includes a numberof Australian and Indian partners, building valuable commercial links with theIndian Space Research Organisation and the booming Indian space sector.
The projects align with agreedpriority areas of strategic importance to both nations, developed from morethan a dozen consultation sessions led by the Australian Space Agency andinvolving more than 500 stakeholders.
Australia and India have a longhistory of collaboration in space, including Australia helping track India’shistoric landing on the South Pole of the Moon in 2023 and supporting itsupcoming Gaganyaan human space flight mission.
The first round of theInternational Space Investment India Projects program was announced by PrimeMinister Anthony Albanese and Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in 2023, and ispart of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between our two nations.
More details on the projectsbeing supported can be found here.
Quotes attributable to the HonEd Husic, Minister for Industry and Science:
“Australia and India areenduring strategic partners, and by working together in space we can strengthenour relationship while also delivering outcomes that will benefit our nationsand region more broadly.
“These projects emphasise therole space science can play in enhancing cooperation in our region for mutualbenefit.
“The innovations that will bedeveloped as part of these projects are going to help address some of ourgreatest challenges of today like climate change, while also driving gains inareas like advanced manufacturing and artificial intelligence that will promotea Future Made in Australia.”
Quotes attributable to Head ofthe Australian Space Agency, Enrico Palermo:
“India’s commercial space sectoris rapidly growing, propelled forward by historic feats like becoming the firstnation to successfully land on the South Pole of the Moon.
“By investing in thesecollaborative projects we can further strengthen the relationship between ourspace sectors and unlock opportunities for Australian organisations to developeven more joint projects and missions with India into the future.
“Australia has uniquecompetitive advantages to offer in Earth observation, communicationstechnologies and services, and robotics and automation. We also have thecapacity to contribute to and learn from India’s human space flight ambitions,particularly in space health and life sciences.”
Quotes attributable to AustraliaIndia Institute CEO, Lisa Singh:
“In an increasinglyinterconnected world, the collaboration between India and Australia in spacenot only strengthens bilateral ties but also reinforces the importance ofinternational partnerships in driving innovation and progress.
“Australia and India possesssignificant untapped potential as space partners. As they become closereconomic and security partners, the areas for cooperation on space technologieswill grow.
“The success of Chandrayaan-3shows India is dedicated to advancing its space and cutting-edge technologycapabilities, and it’s an exciting time to explore greater opportunities topartner with them.”
Space Machines Company WinsFunding to Lead Australia/India Space Partnership
As a result, the in-spaceservicing company will create a joint industry-led Australian-Indian missioncalled Space MAITRI to demonstrate progress towards space debris management anda sustainable space future.
The ISI India projects program,delivered by the Australian Space Agency and Department of Industry, Scienceand Resources Grants Delivery and Business Services, builds upon thebroader 2018 ISI initiative.
Key objectives of the SpaceMAITRI mission include an in-orbit demonstration of space situational awarenessand debris mitigation payloads, including new AI tools for inspection andremoval, the integration of Australian and Indian space supply chains andmanufacturing capabilities, and joint research and academic exchanges todevelop space industry skills.
“This joint mission exemplifiesthe strategic alignment between Australia and India in space technologyresearch and innovation. We are grateful for the support of both the AustralianGovernment and the Australian Space Agency,” said Space Machines Company CEORajat Kulshrestha. “By working together, we can protect our orbital environmentwhile fostering commercial opportunities that benefit both nations.”
Space Machines Company will leadthe Space MAITRI mission to demonstrate technologies to make space sustainable.It says the proliferation of satellites launched by various entities hasrapidly increased the amount of space debris encircling the Earth, posing anescalating threat to future space ventures and astronaut safety. Addressingthis and improving in-space services have become pivotal.
Space MAITRI will incorporateSpace Machines Company’s Australian-built Orbital Servicing Vehicle, which willbe integrated and launched from India on an Indian Space Research Organisation(ISRO) rocket. The mission will showcase advanced manufacturing, artificialintelligence, and sustainability technologies through a close space sectorsupply chain and research partnership between the two nations.
Space MAITRI will also allowSpace Machines Company to take the next step on its journey and build a furthervehicle at its facility in Botany, Sydney.
“Our vision is to providelong-term roadside assistance in space, where spacecraft are repaired,refuelled, refurbished, recycled and removed at the end of life,” saidKulshrestha.
The Space MAITRI project willlikely result in one of the largest ever Australian spacecraft being built (ataround 500kg) and potentially the first Australian payload to fly on an Indianrocket as a dedicated launch.
For the Space MAITRI mission,Space Machines Company will partner with Indian companies Digantara and AnanthTechnologies. Digantara will provide their proprietary optical sensor toimage and track resident space objects in low Earth orbit. Once integratedonto the platform, the sensor will provide exceptional sensitivity,tracking accuracy and revisit rates, significantly improving monitoringcapabilities in orbit.
Ananth Technologies willcontribute engineering expertise and access to cleanroom facilities forintegration and testing. Space Machines Company says working with thesecompanies aligns with Space MAITRI’s goals of fostering internationalcooperation and advancing space sustainability technologies.
ANT61, which is building therobotic workforce for space infrastructure deployment, maintenance and resourceutilisation, is also joining the mission aboard Optimus. ANT61 will demonstratethe world’s first neuromorphic computer at the heart of the autonomous roboticstechnology enabling future in-orbit docking and refuelling missions, paving theway for the Sydney-based company and their partners to conquer the global $10Bin-orbit servicing market and eventually deploying the construction workforcefor the international lunar base and beyond.
https://asiapacificdefencereporter.com/space-machines-companys-optimus-ready-for-launch/
Engineers to develop robot maintenance crews in space
9 February 2024
University leads $2.3m autonomous “in-situ” satellite maintenanceproject
SmartSat is backing the University of Sydney with $2.3 million toresearch and develop robotic maintenance of satellites while in orbit in a stepto extend the lifespan of vital space infrastructure.
The new project will develop robotic satellite technologies to reliablyconnect with other satellites to perform in-orbit repairs and maintenance. Itwill be led by the University of Sydney and is supported by SmartSat CRC andNSW-based industry partners Abyss Solutions, ANT61, Space Machines Company,Sperospace and Spiral Blue.
Servicing satellites in orbit is challenging due to harsh spaceconditions, potential risk of damaging expensive assets through collisionduring docking, and difficulties maintaining stability during maintenance.
Leading the project is Dr Xiaofeng Wu, Senior Lecturer in SpaceEngineering in the School of Aerospace, Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering.He said developing foundational Australian ISAM capabilities will help meetAustralia’s future sovereign needs and equip local companies with advancedtechnologies, providing them with advantages in the global ISAM and broaderspace industry.
“Australia needs to start laying the groundwork now to compete in thisvital and emerging $US14.3 billion market. The University of Sydney is ideallypositioned to play a leading role in establishing the country’s firstintegrated set of core capabilities for autonomous orbital robotics. This corecapability set will enable Australian industry to undertake advanced,fit-for-purpose, autonomous robotic satellite missions to meet commercial,civil and defence needs," Dr Wu said.
SmartSat CRC Chief Executive Officer Professor Andy Koronios saidresearch into ISAM technologies is critical for Australia to help our localindustry join the emerging global supply chain in this increasingly importantfield.
“With the number of satellites and spacecraft in orbit increasingrapidly, there’s a greater likelihood of malfunctions and collisions. Beingable to service and upgrade satellites in-situ, thereby extending theirlifespans, will be a crucial capability for governments and the private sectoralike,” Professor Koronios said
This project brings together four technology areas into one researchproject, ensuring an end-to-end approach to address complex challenges facingin-orbit repair and satellite maintenance.
The ISAM project will address:
·High-level, AI-drivenonboard automation for mission operations, ensuring real-time performance inharsh space conditions.
·Advanced sensing to detectfar-away objects and aid navigation in challenging lighting
·Fault-tolerant navigationsystems for accurate detection and tracking in a variety of spaceenvironments and small objects, while using limited hardware andcomputational resources.
·Safe control strategy tostabilise the servicing satellite while the robotic manipulator is inoperation, avoiding damage to spacecraft
The project's aim is to build end-to-end software technology anddemonstrate it on the ground, with the aim of deploying it on futuresatellites.
DECLARATION
The University will receive $1.05million from SmartSat. The remainingamount is an in-kind contribution from the University of Sydney and theproject’s industry partners, which will work with the University to integratetheir technologies and demonstrate the feasibility of a future all-Australiansatellite servicing mission.
BACKGROUND
Specialising in AI-based perception, Abyss Solutions focuses onautonomous inspections in challenging energy and marine environments – such asoff-shore oil rigs; ANT61 works in semi-autonomous control of dexterous robotic systems; Space Machines works in spacecraft transportation and servicing; Sperospace works in cold welding and large robotic manipulators; and SpiralBlue specialises in edge computing hardware and application management software.
My opinion only DYOR
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