Fugro confirms the Australian Space Automation, Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Control Complex (SpAARC)ย will be located in the heart of downtown Perthโs central business district (CBD).ย Housed in Western Australiaโs (WAโs) largest telecommunications exchange, and thanks to an ongoing partnership with Telstra, Fugroโs world-class facility will manage robotics and remote operations in Australia, around the world and in space. SpAARC will support the translation of terrestrial capabilities into space, while also providing innovative remote solutions here on earth.
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The Australian Government committed AU$4.5 million ($3.2 million) to the development of SpAARC as part of the Australian Space Agencyโs mission to triple the size of the local sector by 2030 to AU$12 billion ($8.6 billion) and create 20,000 new jobs.
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Head of the Australian Space Agency Enrico Palermo said housing SpAARC within WAโs largest telecommunications exchange would further enhance its impact.
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โThe remote operation of autonomous and robotic systems in space is a huge area of opportunity for Australian industry and SpAARC will be critical to us realising that opportunity,โ Mr Palermo said.
โSpAARC will help deliver the Agencyโs vision for Australia to build, operate and maintain the infrastructure and assets which will support the sustainable presence of humans in space.โ
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The initiative also received funding AU$3.5 million ($2.5 million) from the WA Government; the new complex will support local job creation, research and innovation, and the development of a WA space industry ecosystem.
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Fugroโs SpAARC Director, Samuel Forbes, said: โFugro SpAARC is a major contribution to Australiaโs journey to become a world-leader in the space industry and diversify the Australian economy. The new facility is an impressive building that provides a base level operational capability that will underpin our ability to support Australiaโs most important space missions.โ
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SpAARC builds on Fugroโs world-leading remote operations capabilities and is set to improve remote operations in Australiaโs space industry by creating an efficient operating standard.
The Australian Space Automation, AI and Robotics Control Centre (SpAARC) will allow Australian industry and researchers to control the remote operation of autonomous and robotic systems in space. ย
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Telstraโs executive for mining and energy, Mal De Silva, said as one of WAโs key telecommunication sites the purpose built Wellington Street Exchange, with its access to subsea cables, technology, and back-up systems, was ideally located to showcase Fugroโs SpAARC.
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โWe have developed a very close working relationship with Fugro, using Telstraโs satellite facility in Gnangarra to operate a world class remote operations centre and weโre thrilled to be able to now support Fugro in the SpAARC and their quest to reach for the stars.โ
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SpAARC is expected to be fully operational in late 2022. This project received grant funding from the Australian Space Agencyโs Space Infrastructure Fund: Robotics, Automation and Artificial Intelligence (AI) Command and Control Centre grant opportunity. The project forms part of the Perth City Deal and will support local job creation, research and innovation.