Space Machines Company and the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) have announced an agreement to create a cutting-edge facility that could produce up to 20 spacecrafts a year in Australia.
The new Optimus Factory (QF-01) is scheduled to be operational by the end of the year and poised to become Australia’s largest industrial-scale spacecraft manufacturing facility.
Located at UTS Tech Lab in Sydney, the 800-square meter facility is envisioned to create critical capabilities that will enable the sector to design, assemble and test 300-kilogram class spacecrafts at scale.
“The OF-01 facility represents an exciting leap forward for Australia’s space industry.
This collaboration between Space Machines Company and UTS Tech Lab showcases Australia’s commitment to being an active, capable partner in the international space community.
It will help drive the Australian Government’s agenda to grow our nation’s industrial capability, boost productivity, build economic resilience and create a fairer society.”
~ Enrico Palermo, Head of the Australian Space Agency
Next gen OSV
Space Machines Company is an Australian in-space transportation and satellite service provider. They have previously built and launched Optimus, their first Orbital Servicing Vehicle (OSV).
The QF-01 facility will have the capacity to produce five Optimus Viper spacecraft simultaneously, an evolution of the Australian-built vehicle that reached orbit last year.
In June 2024, the Australian provider received an $8.5 million grant as part of the Agency’s International Space Investment India Projects program. The funding supports the firm's role in Space Maitri — a collaborative demonstration mission between Australia and India.
The mission, the first dedicated launch agreement between Australia and India, will see an Optimus Viper launched on an Indian Small Satellite Launch Vehicle. While Space Maitri will focus on debris management, it will also significantly advance Australia’s domestic space industry, by combining Australian spacecraft capabilities with India's launch expertise.
Last week marked the fifth anniversary of the Australia-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, a separate agreement that has helped deepened ties between the two space economies.
New space facility, new opportunities
The agreement announced today could mark significant developments for the local space sector, including building skills, experience, and infrastructure that will define Australia’s role in the global space ecosystem.
“OF-01 marked a historic transformation in Australia’s sovereign capabilities, shifting our nation from a consumer to a producer of critical space infrastructure to close Australia’s space production gap at a pivotal moment in Indo-Pacific security, "said Rajat Kulshrestha, CEO and Co-Founder of Space Machines Company.
Professor Andrew Parfitt, UTS Vice-Chancellor and President pointed out that the partnership demonstrates an Australian space sector commitment towards research-led innovation and industry collaboration.
“By combining deep research expertise with advanced manufacturing capability, we’re creating new knowledge and technologies while giving our students and researchers the opportunity to work on the frontier of space innovation,” Professor Parfitt said.
Australia’s space infrastructure
Value-adding to national and global space activities