AVALON 2023: New space capability mapping tool unveiled

British space organisation The Satellite Applications Catapult, the SmartSat Cooperative Research Centre (CRC), and the UK Government have announced a new space supply chain mapping tool to showcase UK and Australian space sector capabilities.

Enabled by the Space Bridge, an alliance between the UK and Australia that enhances cooperation across both nations to boost respective space industries, this mapping tool will also identify opportunities for collaboration and growth.

The new space and supply chain mapping tool has been built within the existing UK Space Capabilities Catalogue (UKSCC) and extended to develop an International Comparison Dashboard with a current focus on Australia.

The Dashboard aims to identify potential gaps in either market that could be addressed by foreign direct investment and export opportunities. It is also designed to stimulate new opportunities for organisations, industries, and researchers across nations to collaborate on potential projects and programmes and to attract international customers and end-users.

Over the past two years, the Space Bridge has resulted in several initiatives which include five joint research projects, funded by SmartSat CRC, the Satellite Applications Catapult, and the UK Science and Innovation Network, with the support of Austrade and the Australian Space Agency; workshops for SMEs on trade policy, export regulations, finance, and tax; and several roadshows to promote sector capabilities.

This project was supported by the UK Space Agency (UKSA), with matched funding for Supply Chain Tagging from The Satellite Applications Catapult and SmartSat CRC. During the initial pilot The  Satellite Applications Catapult catalogued 240 Australian organisations, which represent a significant portion of the Australian space ecosystem.

Paul Bate, CEO of the UK Space Agency, said: “This mapping tool is another great example of the UK-Australia Space Bridge unlocking innovation, promoting the exchange of knowledge, and bolstering partnerships across the world. Together we can catalyse investment and maximise the vast potential of our growing space sectors.”