Liverpool city region space recruitment and training venture SpaceSpecialists secures deal with Australian space agency to help it get into orbit by 2026. Tony McDonough reports
A Liverpool city region pace recruitment and training business is to help Australia’s space agency get a rocket into space by 2026.
SpaceSpecialists, based at Sci-Tech Daresbury, has secured a deal with Space Centre Australia, the country’s first large-scale and multi-use spaceport. It will provide the agency with consultancy, recruitment and training services.
This deal has come about thanks to the UK Australia Space Bridge. This is a project for both countries to work together with industry, government and academia to support space missions. The agreement will safeguard jobs at Daresbury and lead to new roles.
Co-founder of SpaceSpecialists, Ray Stott, said: “I attended a UK/Australia space trade mission to Australia facilitated by the UK Government’s Department for Business and Trade and the Australian Trade and Investment Commission.
“I met some amazing people who, like me, have made it their mission to make space accessible for everyone.
“This is a huge deal and means that SpaceSpecialists will play an active role in the development of Australia’s very own spaceport with plans under way to commence LEO (low earth orbit) launch operations as soon as 2026.
“This agreement will enhance and secure access to space to UK companies, manufacturing and organisations and employment.”
This site will become a multi-user spaceport designed to be able to launch both horizontal and vertical rockets. It will support heavy lift and human spaceflight in the future.
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James Palmer, chief executive of Space Centre Australia, added: “Working with SpaceSpecialists means we can resource and provide the right support to both our UK and Australia offices to support launch capability for vertical launch and our Asia-Pacific launch capability for horizontal launch and return.
“SpaceSpecialists offer some missing parts in our current supply chain. They provide the right support and capability for all areas of operations. We are very excited about the opportunities working together and collaborating will present.”