Canberra-Based Skykraft Utilizes PIP Grant to Send Satellites to Space

16 Jul

Skykraft, a company based in Canberra, is making significant strides in the space industry and global air navigation sector with their Air Traffic Management (ATM) satellites. The company is developing a constellation of over 200 satellites in low-earth orbit to offer global ATM services from space, providing surveillance and communication capabilities for air traffic control, particularly in remote or oceanic areas.

In 2018-19, Skykraft secured a $1 million PIP (Priority Investment Program) grant from the ACT Government to support their innovative endeavors. This funding played a crucial role in jumpstarting their operations, allowing them to focus on product development and team expansion.

Recently, Skykraft successfully trialed space-based voice communications using existing equipment in the Very High Frequency (VHF) aviation band. This breakthrough will enable real-time communications between pilots and air traffic controllers globally, marking a significant advancement in ATM services.

The company's satellite manufacturing facility in Canberra serves as the hub for designing, building, and operating the constellation of satellites. This constellation is set to begin operations in 2025 and will be sustained by a five-year satellite replenishment cycle, aiming to establish a sustainable space manufacturing capability in Canberra.

Skykraft has already launched 10 satellites into space, significantly increasing the total mass of Australian-manufactured space objects in orbit. With continued rapid deployment, Skykraft aims to deploy the full satellite constellation to offer global ATM services.

Original article: https://foreignaffairs.co.nz/2024/07/14/mil-osi-australia-canberras-skykraft-take-to-space-with-pip-grant/