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Federal funding of $3 million goes to DefendTex in Gippsland for Australia's first 3D printed space launching rocket boosters

Funding to conduct Australia's first 3D printed rocket booster for space in Gippsland.

By news@gippsland - 6th September 2021 - Back to News

The Federal Government is providing $3 million in funding through the Cooperative Research Centre Projects (CRC-P) to DefendTex to conduct Australia's first 3D printed rocket booster for space launch here in Gippsland.

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Filling the space gap

Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said the grant would help DefendTex to further develop and test their innovative technology with an eye to other markets. "DefendTex will use the funding to join with industry and research partners to address Australia's space industry capability gap where there are no commercially available, domestically manufactured rocket boosters for launch in Australia," Mr Chester said.

"While imported rocket boosters are available, the regulatory burden and cost combined with foreign government control on their use are all significant barriers. Filling this capability gap by domestically producing commercial rocket boosters will allow for responsive sovereign space launch to occur."

"The Additive Manufacturing approach results in substantial cost savings which translate to affordable space access for Australia's emerging space industry. The project also has the potential to grow jobs in Gippsland and build the local economy," Mr Chester also said.

Enabling domestic production

DefendTex CEO Travis Reddy said he was very grateful to receive the funding from the Federal government and the Cooperative Research Centre Program for investing in research which will have significant benefits for the Australian space industry. "The project will enable domestic production of commercial rocket boosters allowing for responsive access to space," Mr Reddy said.

DefendTex was one of two Gippsland companies to receive funding as part of this round of Cooperative Research Centres Projects (CRC-P). CRC-Ps can run up to three year and must have at least two Australian industry partners, including one small or medium sized business and one Australian research organisation partner.

For more information visit the short-term, industry-led research collaborations.

Pictures from DefendTex website.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com