METS Ignited congratulates the Australian Remote Operations for Space and Earth (AROSE) consortium on their Australian Government Trailblazer Grant.
The Grant, administered by the Australian Space Agency, will see an Australia design, build, test and operate a locally manufactured lunar foundation services rover for NASA’s return to the surface of the Moon.
As announced by AROSE; “NASA has asked Australia to provide the lunar rover due to our world-leading expertise in remote operations and automation technology, developed through our resources industry. The Trailblazer program requires the rover to be operated remotely to collect lunar soil and deliver it to a NASA-provided processing facility to extract oxygen. This is a critical step to supporting a sustainable human presence on the Moon, Mars and beyond.”
Minister for Industry and Science the Hon Ed Husic MP announced the Commonwealth Government’s Moon to Mars Trailblazer initiative grants on Monday 20 March. The Minister explained AROSE would receive $4 million to design early-stage prototypes.
“From those selected to be part of the Trailblazer program, to other industry success stories and our impressive universities and research organisations, Australia has much to be proud of. Programs like Trailblazer are important to growing our space sector, as well as our know-how in robotics and automation. It also has an important role to play in inspiring more young Australians to consider STEM careers,” Minister Husic said.
METS Ignited CEO Adrian Beer, a proud member of AROSE Resources Advisory Board, extended his congratulations on this achievement.
“This is incredible recognition for Australia’s innovation sector as a whole and for our space sector,” Mr Beer said.
“AROSE demonstrates firsthand how innovation and expertise developed within Australia, like that within our resources sector, can serve the needs of multiple industry sectors.
“I’m delighted to have the opportunity to support the work of the AROSE team, promoting Australian technology and innovation to the world.
“Congratulations must also go to Minister Husic and the Department for this important commitment, enabling AROSE to continue delivering important outcomes for our country,” Mr Beer concluded.
Ends
Read the AROSE announcement here – and Minister Husic’s announcement here.
Background
METS Ignited is the Industry Growth Centre (IGC) for the Mining Equipment, Technology and Services sector. In operation for six years, METS Ignited successfully supported the commercialisation of technology addressing the needs of the resources sector:
- $16 million investment into 35 projects.
- 76 Industry participants, bringing more that 20 new Australian innovations to market.
- Creating over 1000 local jobs with a combined revenue estimate of $900 million by 2025.
METS Ignited supports the translation of Australia’s research and innovation into products and services, to serve global markets across multiple industries, delivered by Australian technology companies, from within our national economy.
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