New industry partnerships cover satellite communications, R&D, and launch and re-entry technologies
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Australia is stepping up its engagement with India’s private space sector, with the two countries signing five new industry partnerships covering satellite communications, research and development, and launch and re-entry technologies.The agreements were signed over the last two days as part of an Australian business delegation’s engagement with India’s growing space ecosystem, Nathan Davis, Trade and Investment Commissioner, Austrade, New Delhi, told businessline on the sidelines of 9th edition of Bengaluru Space Expo.One of the partnerships brings together Australian satellite communications company LatConnect 60 and NewSpace India Ltd (NSIL), while another involves the University of Western Australia and Space Industry Association of India (SIA) India for research, development and education collaboration.Three other agreements involve Australian launch and re-entry company Space Machines, which has partnered with Indian companies Angel Technologies, Red Balloon Aerospace and Inbound Aerospace.Space frameworkThe agreements build on a broader bilateral space framework, including a memorandum of understanding between the Australian Space Agency and ISRO on space cooperation. The two countries have also identified space and technology as areas for deeper collaboration under their broader strategic partnership.Davis said the bilateral relationship was entering an “interesting period” as India’s private space ecosystem had matured significantly, with greater investor and industry interest compared with six to eight years ago.While venture capital interest in deep technology and space is growing, government-backed funding remains an important source of capital, he said. Australia has allocated about AUD 20 million through grants supporting companies collaborating with Indian organisations, while its National Reconstruction Fund is supporting investment in Australian space companies.
