Local startup Paladin Space is poised to advance its efforts in mitigating the dangers of space debris to spacecraft, following the receipt of a $100,000 grant from the South Australian Government.
The startup aims to address the estimated 9,000 metric tons of debris currently orbiting Earth, including defunct satellites, rocket parts, and smaller fragments that travel at speeds of up to 27,000 kilometres per hour.
Harrison Box, the founder of Paladin Space, emphasised the urgency of tackling this issue. “With an estimated 9,000 metric tons of space debris currently scattered in orbit, and moving at extremely high speeds, a piece as small as a pen lid could easily damage any satellite in its way and put astronauts at risk,” Box explained.
His company is developing a reusable space debris remover designed to benefit commercial satellite owners, the defence industry, and government space agencies.
To support its mission, Paladin Space is collaborating with the Australian Institute for Machine Learning (AIML) to develop new image-processing techniques powered by artificial intelligence.
The Seed-Start grant will aid in refining the company’s novel capture design technology and is expected to help finalise a prototype for demonstration by mid-2025.
This advancement will accelerate Paladin Space’s pathway to market and attract further investment funding.
“The South Australian Government is proud to support innovations like Paladin Space’s reusable space debris remover through Seed-Start grants provided through the Research and Innovation Fund,” said Susan Close, the Minister for Innovation and Skills.
“As home to the nation-leading Australian Institute for Machine Learning, South Australia is leading the way in AI technologies. It’s no surprise that this innovation has captured the attention of local and international investors and space organizations.”
In addition to its grant funding, Paladin Space will join eight other South Australian startups as part of an Australian delegation to the United States from October 27 to November 2.
Sponsored by the South Australian Government and hosted by Tribe Global Ventures, the delegation aims to pursue business development opportunities, including meetings with SpaceX and NASA to pitch its debris removal technology.
Stephen Mullighan, the Minister for Transport and Infrastructure, emphasized the importance of supporting the growing space sector in South Australia.
“The South Australian Government has a clear vision to create a thriving and enduring space sector, and we are investing in programs and initiatives that will continue to build our state’s—and our nation’s—innovative and world-class space capabilities,” Mullighan stated.
“This $100,000 grant will provide a boost for Paladin Space and the South Australian space sector and underscores the state’s position as a leading incubator for space technology.”
According to the government, Paladin Space’s initiative not only addresses a critical issue facing the aerospace industry but also positions South Australia at the forefront of emerging technologies.
As Box noted, “Our Seed-Start grant will help us explore new image processing techniques with support from the Australian Institute for Machine Learning, refine our novel capture design technology, and demonstrate our debris removal capability on a global stage.”
The Seed-Start program, part of the South Australian Government’s Research and Innovation Fund, provides grant funding for high-growth potential businesses, with applications accepted on a rolling basis.
For more information and guidelines, interested parties can visit the Department of State Development’s website.
