Boeing and RMIT have inked an agreement to develop local solutions for the manufacturing of space equipment.
The partnership will harness Boeing’s expertise in space product development and RMIT’s world-leading research in advanced manufacturing to deliver projects on product design strategy, materials research and process innovation.
The research and development will be undertaken at RMIT’s recently launched Space Industry Hub – a launch pad and industrial solutions incubator dedicated to growing Australia’s space sector.
RMIT Deputy Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation, Professor Calum Drummond AO, said the ultimate goal was to “maximise opportunities for commercialisation of the products that we co-develop with Boeing”.
“This is a pioneering project which provides a tangible pathway for Australian businesses to upskill, innovate and export globally as manufacturers of products for space applications,” Mr Drummond continued.
“Leveraging Boeing and RMIT’s joint expertise and facilities, we believe we can unlock boundless future opportunities for Australian industry.”
Boeing Defence Australia director of Aerospace Engineering and Production, Paul Watson, said the collaboration would stimulate the production of complex, low volume, bespoke components not suited to conventional manufacturing techniques.
“This partnership will develop new knowledge in advanced manufacturing technologies which will not only stimulate the development of a local fabrication capability but will also expose Australian industry to space export markets as part of Boeing’s global supply chain,” he concluded.
