Italian space company launched at Lot Fourteen

The largest privately-owned Italian space company, SITAEL, launched its new satellite design office at Lot Fourteen today, continuing the company’s expansion in South Australia and further strengthening the neighbourhood as a hub for the nation’s growing space industry.

The new office, officially opened by Premier Steven Marshall, will help SITAEL Australia to grow its capability to design, build and manufacture satellites in the 50 to 300 kilogram class. It is expected to create 10-15 new high technology jobs over the next few years.

SITAEL is a world leader in the small satellites sector. It covers a wide range of activities in development of small satellite platforms, advanced propulsion systems and on-board avionics, providing turn-key solutions for Earth observation, telecom and science.

SITAEL Space Division Managing Director Mr Pierluigi Pirrelli said the company’s expansion in Australia would improve its delivery of space technology solutions to customers in Australia and the nearby region.

“With such rapid growth and development in the Australian space sector, we are very pleased to be expanding our presence in South Australia,” he said.

SITAEL Australia General Manager Mark Ramsey said the proximity to other space organisations such as the Australian Space Agency, SmartSat CRC, Inovor Technologies, Myriota and Neumann Space sealed the decision to locate at Lot Fourteen.

“We’re excited about expanding the company in such an environment,” he said.

SITAEL Australia today also signed a contract with its Lot Fourteen neighbour, Inovor Technologies, to formally support the the $2.5m Defence contract for the Buccaneer satellite bus project, which was awarded to Inovor Technologies in November.

The two companies signed a letter of intent in 2017 to work together on the design and build of satellites and ground stations.

Inovor Technologies Chief Executive Matt Tetlow said it was pleasing to see the fruits of that cooperation and to be working with SITAEL Australia on the project.