Fleet Space Technologies marked the official opening of its extended Adelaide HQ with the visit of Susan Close MP, Deputy Premier of South Australia. Susan Close also holds the ministerial portfolios of Minister for Climate, Environment and Water, Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science and Minister for Defense and Space Industries.
Fleet Space Technologies has significantly grown its presence in Adelaide to accommodate rapid growth. This includes doubling the number of highly skilled jobs in the last six months. Fleet now employs 86 individuals across space engineering, manufacturing, commercial and operations functions. The 1200 sq/m expanded HQ creates a dedicated space for commercial and operational disciplines.
This rapid expansion, places Fleet among the fastest growing high-tech companies in Australia. This includes the conclusion in 2021 of an oversubscribed Series B round, valuing the company at $126million (AUD) underpinned by a group of the leading VCs and institutions in Australia and the United States.
The expansion also follows the successful introduction of ExoSphere, Fleet’s satellite enabled Earth scanning technology for the global mineral exploration industry. It is already revolutionizing the way Australian and global mineral explorers find the critical energy transition materials required to meet surging global demand for Electric Vehicles (EVs).
ExoSphere has just reported successful results from trials at Australia’s newest Lithium miner Core Lithium’s Finniss Project in the Northern Territory. This technology is being rolled out globally through collaboration with the world’s largest and most progressive explorers and is supporting the global effort to find more than $13trillion USD (as defined by the International Monetary Fund) value in these rare earth materials to support global sustainability goals.
This global success is built from a culture of innovation, executed in collaboration with South Australia’s ecosystem of leading space technology and advanced engineering companies. From its base in Adelaide, Fleet has pioneered the use of additive manufacturing (3D printing) to drive cost and production efficiencies in the manufacture of satellites. This includes Fleet’s forthcoming planned constellation of 288 microsatellites, including Alpha, which will integrate the company’s advanced beamforming technology and patented antennas to unlock greater connectivity more quickly and in more locations.
In December 2021, Fleet also announced its commitment to establishing a hyper factory in Adelaide’s landmark ‘Australian Space Park’ development. This is with the support of the South Australian Government which committed $20million (AUS) to Australia’s first dedicated space manufacturing hub. The $66million (AUS) Australian Space Park in which Fleet Space Technology will build a Hyper Factory will be the first of its kind in the southern hemisphere.
Fleet Space has designed, built and launched Australia’s only commercial NanoSatellites. With six satellites already in orbit and the next iteration launching in 2022, Fleet Space is building a constellation of 140 small satellites in Low Earth Orbit.
Fleet leads Australia’s rapidly growing space sector — an industry of key strategic importance to the development of the Australian economy. The Australia Space Agency stated their aim is to contribute $12billion (AUS) to the economy by 2030. This is supported by strong strategic support at a Federal and State level.
Flavia Tata Nardini, CEO and Co-Founder, Fleet Space Technologies said “Everyone at Fleet Space Technologies is proud to be part of the extraordinary ecosystem of leading companies, academic institutions and innovators that are driving South Australia’s status as a global center of excellence in new space technology. We are delighted to mark the official opening of our expanded HQ in Adelaide, reaffirming our commitment to growing our business and creating highly-skilled jobs in South Australia. We were delighted to welcome Deputy State Premier, Susan Close MP and show her the incredible innovations that harness the power of Fleet’s satellite constellation for the betterment of everyone here in Australia and beyond.”
Susan Close MP, Deputy Premier of South Australia added, “South Australia is proud to be home to a thriving space ecosystem consisting of innovative companies, like Fleet, that are pushing the frontiers of smart technologies and creating new high-tech jobs for South Australians. Fleet is doing amazing work to speed up decarbonization through its innovative ExoSphere Earth scanning technology. It’s these innovations, nurtured within an ecosystem of private companies and leading academic institutions that will drive the benefits of space technology to all our citizens. Congratulations to Flavia, Matt and the team at Fleet for their successful expansion and continued growth, which is strengthening Australia’s sovereign space capability and positioning our state as a leading player in the global space market.”
