Photo by Emily Schuster, ANU InSpace: (Left) New Frontier Technologies Director and CEO, Paul Compston; (Right) the Australian National University’s Research School of Physics, Professor Patrick Kluth with the new Space Irradiation Beamline at the Research School of Physics Heavy Ion Accelerator Facility (HIAF).

Announcing the next iLAuNCH Trailblazer project: Carbon composite technology to reduce satellite mass. We know cost can be a huge barrier for Australian companies to reach LEO, with payloads billed per kilogram of weight by launch providers. At the same time, structures need to be robust to survive launch and operations in space's extreme and harsh temperature environments. This new technology will ultimately save on the cost of accessing space. Teaming up with The Australian National University and industry partner New Frontier Technologies, this Trailblazer project will develop a material solution based on carbon fibre.

“This first Materials and Processing commercialisation project will develop protective coatings for carbon composite components that will be deployed in space environments for long durations,” said iLAuNCH Trailblazer Executive Director, Darin Lovett.

“We are developing world-class sovereign manufacturing capability that is cost competitive and utilises the latest advancements in materials; vital for realising the full potential of an Australian space manufacturing industry.”