Australia is set to make a significant leap into space with an Optus-led consortium announcing plans to build, launch, and operate the nation’s first sovereign Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite. Expected to launch in early 2028, this collaborative project promises to boost Australia’s connectivity and enhance its critical space awareness.
The ambitious initiative brings together Optus, iLAuNCH, HEO, Inovor Technologies, and the Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG). The satellite will be constructed by Inovor Technologies in Adelaide, with Optus managing operations from Sydney.
Nick Leake, Head of Satellite and Space Systems at Optus, highlighted the project’s importance for the Australian economy, emphasising the need to “explore new ways of delivering services that businesses rely on.”
The satellite will host two key technologies from the iLAuNCH Trailblazer Universities Program:
- Advanced Space Imaging: A specialised telescope (HEO’s Adler Imager) will capture high-resolution images of space objects, providing vital insights for defence, government, and commercial entities, enhancing space transparency and asset management.
- Next-Gen Communications: A compact, high-speed communication terminal will use laser light for data transmission, alongside conventional radio frequency capabilities for research.
This project builds on previous innovations and aims to develop Australia’s space capabilities further.
Darin Lovett of iLAuNCH Trailblazer, Joann Yap of HEO, and Dr. Matthew Tetlow of Inovor Technologies all lauded the project as a major step forward for Australian research, technology, and national space sovereignty, fostering skilled jobs and proving Australia’s leadership in the global space industry.
This marks a pivotal moment for Australia, promising a future of enhanced connectivity and crucial insights from space.
