The Innovative Launch, Automation, Novel Materials, Communications and Hypersonics program (iLAuNCH)
The University of Southern Queensland, Australian National University and University of South Australia
The iLAuNCH Trailblazer is an Australian Government Program with the University of Southern Queensland, the Australian National University and the University of South Australia building Australia’s enduring space capability through the commercialisation of projects, a fast-track accelerator, and skills development to build the workforce of the future.
iLAuNCH brings together over 20 industry organisations to build Australia’s sovereign space capability by addressing critical gaps and accelerating development of a space technology sector. With AU$180 million to invest in industry research, commercialisation and manufacturing, we are committed to Australia’s burgeoning space industry. We will achieve this through growing our commercially viable civil rockets, rocket test and launch facilities, rapid satellite manufacturing, communication technologies and integrated sensing systems.
- Website
- https://ilaunch.space/
- Organisation type
University Trailblazer
- Number of research staff
- 20-100 research staff
- Address
- University of Southern Queensland Springfield Campus 37 Sinnathamby Blvd, Springfield Central QLD 4300 B Block – Level 3, Room 332
Strengths and capabilities
- Successfully completed a NASA capsule re-entry mission which saw the return of samples from the 4.6 billion year old asteroid Bennu with Rocket Technologies International Australia and UniSQ.
- Qualified the Space Machines Optimus first-generation space transport and servicing platform for flight with ANU.
- Using Virtual twins to revolutionising composite aerospace vehicle repairs with UniSQ, MEMKO, and Boeing.
- Maturing reliable and consistent long-term power sources for spacecraft where solar energy cannot be relied upon with entX and UniSQ.
Facilities and major equipment
- 6 Electron Beam Melt GE Arcam series 3D Printers for manufacturing high temperature metals like inconel, titanium
- A spark laser sintering furnace for fusing high temperature high entropy alloys and thermoelectric devices
- Upgrades to UniSQ filament winder to resin impregnate dry fibre tows
- A Mobile Mission Operations Centre to support space operations activities. A B-Double trailer that is an office building on wheels dedicated to launches and space operations as well as outreach programmes.
- A Nikon SLM-280 multi-metal 3D printer, the first production machine of its kind in the world
- 3 Australia-class satellites flown to LEO hosting rideshare experiments. First launch mid-March 2024
Key science sectors
More information about the sectors this centre is involved in:
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