The Australian Space Agency launched a Space Infrastructure Fund, including support for launch and test facilities. Grants awarded to Equatorial Launch Australia and Southern Launch for developing launch pads and integration facilities.

Prerequisites:

• Needs assessment to identify relevant areas to fund access to space R&D

• Access to technical/business experts to support private entities applying for funding

• Lead agency & budget

• Procurement pathway

• Partner support as needed

Cost:

• Ballpark: USD 50k–250k (does not include cost for the fund)

• Includes: partnership setup, fund design and governance, technical assistance, monitoring & evaluation, administrative support. 

Timeframe:

• Overall: 12-60 months

• Phase: fund design (6-12 months), funding round(s) (6 - 48 months), optional evaluation & scale-up (6 - 12 months)

Pros:

• Technological Competitiveness – Strengthens expertise and technological capabilities, enhancing national and international competitiveness.

• Resource Optimization – Fosters optimal resource allocation and supports efficient operations.

Considerations:

• Prioritisation Complexity – Requires understanding of national priorities and needs to determine which use cases to fund, and prioritises them through significant consideration and time.