Aerospace

Aerospace: Your investment opportunity

Queensland is at the centre of Australia’s aerospace industry, as well as being a research and development hub for emerging aviation technologies.

Thanks to a rich history in the field and unique geographical strengths, Queensland is emerging as one of the top destinations for aerospace research and development in the world.

Skyrocketing expansion

Generating A$1.26 billion and growing at a rate of 7 per cent per year, Queensland’s space industry is becoming recognised as a leading centre in Australasia for:

• launch activities,
• ground systems,
• Earth observation, and
• niche manufacturing.

Already known as an aviation hub in the Asia–Pacific region, Queensland hosts more than 31 per cent of establishments within the Australian aerospace segment – including more than half of the world’s top 10 aerospace companies. With the goal of tripling the size of Australia’s space economy by 2030, now’s the perfect time to join our ambitious ‘space race’.

Australia’s space coast

Queensland’s natural advantages make it ideal for developing a successful space industry. Its east coast position is crucial, as this is the preferred direction for launches. With a strategic location close to the equator, those launches are also significantly less expensive.

To support these unique advantages, Queensland has radio free areas and clear skies – alongside remote internet and data backhaul services. Because of a historic focus on mining and the geographical need to operate remotely, Queensland also leads Australia in advanced robotics, automation, and remote asset management.

World class research and development

Attracting some of the world’s brightest minds with its leading research and development infrastructure, Queensland has five universities and institutes that are leading the way in applied research and commercial work in:

• hypersonic technology and reusable rockets,
• manufacturing of space systems (including satellites),
• advanced astronautical engineering,
• artificial intelligence, computer image processing, and robotics, and
• autonomous systems and data.

Queensland also contains the Mount Kent Observatory, which hosts a dedicated exoplanet observation facility that conducts frontline research into stellar magnetic activity and holds collaborative partnerships with global research institutions and space agencies.

Launched in 2018, the Queensland Aerospace 10-Year Roadmap and Action Plan is positioning Queensland as a leading centre for aerospace innovation in Australasia and South East Asia.

The Queensland Government also launched the Queensland Space Industry Strategy in February 2020.

On being a Queensland space business, Adam Gilmour, CEO of Gilmour Space Technologies notes that “Queensland, with its attractive geography and confluence of leading launch companies, is well positioned to be the national hub for launch and manufacturing in Australia.” 

Want to get involved?

For more about Queensland’s growing space industry and how to get involved, connect with Trade and Investment Queensland’s global team of advisors and sector specialists.