New Frontiers: National Space Industry Hub for Cicada Innovations

The New South Wales government has chosen South Eveleigh-based, deep tech incubator, Cicada Innovations to run its $2.1 million National Space Industry Hub.

NSW investment minister Stuart Ayres said the state was already home to more than a third of Australian space startups.

“There is no better place to research, develop and commercialise space technology,” he said.

“The National Space Industry Hub will be the nexus between industry and researchers, housing both the Space Industry Association of Australia and the NSW Node of the SmartSat Cooperative Research Centre, which will also be based at the space hub.”

Cicada Innovations CEO Sally-Ann Williams said that alongside the accelerator’s custom facilities, the companies involved will also have access specialised facilities through our shareholder universities, ANU, USYD, UNSW, and UTS, including USYD’s aerospace, mechanical and mechatronic facilities, and ANU’s heavy ion accelerator.

“Housing the National Space Industry Hub will allow us to create a home for emerging space ventures in NSW,” she said.

“More importantly, we’ll offer these resources, mentoring opportunities and vital connections nationally through continued collaboration across the Australian space ecosystem for anyone on the path of creating a space tech venture.”