- US-based company Intuitive Machines (IM) is due to land on the Moon as a part of its first lunar lander mission (IM-1)
- Fugro’s Space Automation, AI and Robotics Control Complex (SpAARC) in Perth has partnered with IM
- Cook Government investing $8.5 million into establishing the Perth-based SpAARC and supporting mission capability
Western Australia is playing an important role in today’s successful launch of a United States-led mission to the Moon.
IM-1 is set to be the first commercial lunar landing as well as the first US Moon landing since 1972.
Fugro’s WA-based Space Automation, AI and Robotics Control Complex (SpAARC) has partnered with US company Intuitive Machines (IM) to support the mission’s operations.
SpAARC is a world-class facility in Perth which trains, tests and controls remote and autonomous operations in space and other harsh environments.
The Cook Government co-invested $3.5 million to establish SpAARC and has committed a further $5 million to grow its space mission operations capability. The Australian Government has also put $4.5 million towards establishing SpAARC.
It is the only organisation which offers multi-domain mission operations-as-a-service, from deep sea to deep space.
Currently there are more than 130 international and Australian organisations operating space and space-related services in WA.
IM stands out as the commercial lunar program that has received the most awards from NASA, winning three of the Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) contracts to deliver payloads into orbit and on the surface of the Moon.
As stated by Premier Roger Cook:
“Growing the space industry is a key focus of my Government’s Diversify WA framework, which supports the creation of local jobs, new business opportunities and economic diversification.
“Our involvement in this latest US mission to the moon is another major step towards WA being internationally recognised as a global hub for space, science, technology and innovation.
“We have played a significant role in the space industry for more than 60 years in supporting NASA’s different missions and we’re investing millions of dollars to build our capacity and capability to do more.
“Today, we are home to more than 130 Australian and International organisations operating space and space-related services, as well as significant space infrastructure for civil and defence applications.”
As stated by Science Minister Stephen Dawson:
“We are entering an exciting time for commercial lunar space operations and WA is all set to play a key role in new programs and missions.
“Western Australia possesses world leading capabilities in a range of technologies, including remote operations, artificial intelligence, robotics and we’re building the biggest telescope in the world.
“The Cook Government’s significant investment in the local space industry is achieving our goal of creating new economic opportunities for the State and cementing WA’s position as the place for space.”
As stated by Enrico Palermo, Head of the Australian Space Agency:
“The partnership between Fugro’s WA-based SpAARC and Intuitive Machines lays the groundwork for the Australian industry to contribute further to this next generation of global space exploration.
“SpAARC uses the knowledge and expertise that exists in other Australian industries to grow our involvement in the space sector, while expanding capability in cutting-edge technologies like robotics and artificial intelligence.”
