- Posted on 10 Jun 2025
- 3 minutes read
The University of Technology Sydney (UTS) and Space Machines Company (SMC) have announced the creation of Australia’s largest industrial-scale spacecraft manufacturing facility and renewed their partnership for a further three years.
Located at UTS Tech Lab in Sydney, the Optimus Factory (OF-01) marks a major milestone in Australia’s space industry, establishing critical sovereign capability for the design, assembly and testing of 300 kg class spacecraft at scale.
The expanded facility will boast an additional 800-square-metre spacecraft production space, the OF-01 will house Australia’s largest satellite Assembly, Integration and Test (AIT) cleanroom. This asset, which will support future Defence requirements, represents a co-investment from both parties and will bolster national security and commercial applications, enabling SMC to deliver immediate, high-fidelity intelligence and safeguard critical space assets. This space production capability exemplifies the Future Made in Australia vision, building domestic industrial capacity in critical technologies.
The facility will have the capacity to produce five Optimus Viper spacecraft simultaneously, scaling to 20+ units per year. Announced in December 2024, Viper is SMC’s rapid-response spacecraft variant currently under development as an evolution of their first vehicle, Optimus. The facility is scheduled to be operational by late 2025, with production of multiple SMC Viper spacecraft expected to commence in early 2026. Upon completion, it will be the largest satellite assembly facility in Australia.
Space Machines Company also received an $8.5 million grant from the Australian Government in 2024 under the Australian Space Agency’s ISI India Projects program for a collaborative demonstration mission, “Space Maitri” between India and Australia using the Optimus Viper platform.
Rajat Kulshrestha, CEO of Space Machines Company, said, “OF-01 marked a historic transformation in Australia’s sovereign capabilities, shifting our nation from a consumer to a producer of critical space infrastructure to close Australia’s space production gap at a pivotal moment in Indo-Pacific security.”
“Space Machines Company is one of the few companies globally developing capabilities that ensure freedom of movement in space and the only one headquartered in the Indo-Pacific region. This strategic capability positions Australia to make significant contributions to allied space security efforts, particularly with the United States, as countries look for technologies that can quickly safeguard critical space infrastructure.”
Professor Michael Blumenstein, Pro Vice Chancellor (Business Creation and Major Facilities) at UTS, said, “This partnership is focused on joint research and development, enabling UTS and SMC to shape the future of the space industry in Australia and globally. It also provides UTS students and researchers with access to leading-edge technology and real-world experience, placing them at the forefront of space innovation.”
“Until now, Australia has been largely dependent on overseas suppliers for space assets and technology, limiting our strategic autonomy and industrial growth. By establishing local manufacturing capabilities, we’re creating high-skilled jobs and retaining intellectual property within our borders, ensuring Australia can independently develop, produce, and deploy the space infrastructure essential for our future security and prosperity.”
Professor Andrew Parfitt, Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Technology Sydney, said the renewed partnership with SMC demonstrated the university’s commitment to research-led innovation and industry collaboration.
“Our long-term partnership with Space Machines Company is helping to shape the future of Australia’s space industry. By combining deep research expertise with advanced manufacturing capability, we’re creating new knowledge and technologies while giving our students and researchers the opportunity to work on the frontier of space innovation,” Professor Parfitt said.
“Through this collaboration, UTS is not only contributing to the development of sovereign space capabilities — we’re building the skills, experience and infrastructure that will define Australia’s role in the global space ecosystem.”
Head of the Australian Space Agency, Enrico Palermo, commented on the milestone: “The OF-01 facility represents an exciting leap forward for Australia’s space industry. This collaboration between Space Machines Company and UTS Tech Lab showcases Australia’s commitment to being an active, capable partner in the international space community. It will help drive the Australian Government’s agenda to grow our nation’s industrial capability, boost productivity, build economic resilience and create a fairer society.”
NSW Minister for Industry and Trade, and Minister for Innovation, Science and Technology, the Hon Anoulack Chanthivong, said: “The NSW Government is thrilled to see this collaboration going from strength to strength. It is because of relationships and investments like this that NSW has the largest defence and aerospace industries in Australia, and with our recently released Industry Policy and Innovation Blueprint, we want to give industry the certainty to invest further in advanced manufacturing.