Geelong a factor in space program

THE Australian Space Agency has been told of the potential of Geelong’s world-class advanced and composite fibre industries to contribute to the country’s space program.

A submission on the International Space Investment initiative has highlighted that highperformance carbon fibre and advanced fibre materials were increasingly being used in energy-efficient transport solutions, renewable power generation, high-pressure gas storage and aerospace.

The Advanced Fibre Cluster Geelong submission also calls for a lowering of entry barriers and to provide greater early support for emerging market entrants.

The space agency had called for views on the application of the Federal Government’s International Space Investment, which will support strategic international space projects that generate employment and business opportunities for Australians.

Prepared by Advanced Fibre Cluster Geelong CEO Jennifer Conley, the submission notes: IN space applications such as launch vehicles, satellites and orbiting structures —and in the suborbital space plane market — the performance criteria placed upon materials and structures can be far greater than in other areas; THE most globallycompetitive Australian manufacturing companies will often be those that have higher proportions of knowledge workers than foreign competitors; and, THE international space sector offers substantial commercial opportunities for Australian companies in advanced engineering, R&D services and advanced manufacturing. These are areas in which significant strengths exist today.