In July, Cicada was named the official delivery partner of the NSW Government's National Space Industry Hub. With the global space sector forecast at US$1 trillion by 2040, it’s vital Australia unlocks its space potential, and we’re excited to play a role in unlocking that potential.
Our vision is to see a vibrant, globally competitive space industry delivering benefits for all Australians, founded on world-class research, innovation, collaboration and commercialisation, and led by NSW.
Space exploration and technology can benefit every Australian. From launching satellites powering weather forecasting and communication systems, to science experiments performed on astronauts that improve healthcare and food production.
I wanted to share our roadmap to achieving this vision and growing the National Space Industry Hub.
Build capability and a strong foundation
Whilst researchers and engineers have brilliant ideas, many lack the commercialisation skills to bring them to market. The first pillar of the National Space Industry Hub is to build a strong foundation of people with the skills to innovate. The space ecosystem doesn’t just require robotics engineers and developers, space farming requires horticulturists, space medicine requires biochemists, we want to bring everyone on the journey so they have the skills and knowledge to contribute.
Space Foundations is our online learning platform delivered by expert faculty. It will offer an accessible way for anyone to build foundational skills in commercialising space technology – at their own pace, from anywhere.
Fast track the best and brightest
With a twenty year record of helping deep tech ventures, we are a proven pathway to commercial success. Fast Start is a 6 month bespoke coaching program for space ventures looking to validate their vision, develop their technology and become more capable, skilled and effective entrepreneurs along the way.
Unlike ‘the one size fits all’ accelerator model, Fast Start is specifically designed to address the needs of each team. We’ll work closely with each venture to ensure they have the right support and assistance at every stage of the program and beyond. They’ll be paired with respected industry mentors, subject matter experts, investors to provide strategic advice and valuable connections to reach their goals.
One of these experts joining us is our newly onboarded Space Expert-in-Residence, Tim Parsons. Tim wears many hats helping the local space industry flourish. Read more about what sparked Tim’s interest in space, why he thinks finding partners is more important than customers, and why he’s excited about joining the Space Hub team.
Convene the community
While our industry is nascent, much great work has already been done to build a strong and vibrant ecosystem. Our Supplying Space for Australia webinar highlighted that to achieve the full potential of Australia’s space industry, we need to continue to grow this existing space coalition of industry, research and startups. The National Space Industry Hub aims to be a physical meeting place available for the existing space community to convene, collaborate and champion each other.
We look forward to bringing the community together, fostering collaboration, and connecting all to the opportunities in the sector. That’s why I’m excited to talk to Daniel Faber, serial space entrepreneur and CEO of Orbit Fab, a company putting petrol stations in space at our next Cicada Buzz (watch the recording here). We’ll discuss his journey, advice for budding founders, and the importance of national self-sufficiency in space capabilities.
Australia is at a turning point, get the next decade right and we could be a world leader in space innovation. To keep up to date with all the activities of the National Industry Space Hub, visit the website.
