Auspace Pty Ltd was an Australian aerospace company formed on 7 June 1982 as a

joint-venture A joint venture (JV) is a business entity created by two or more parties, generally characterized by shared ownership, shared returns and risks, and shared governance. Companies typically pursue joint ventures for one of four reasons: to acces ...

between Hawker de Havilland Australia and SA Matra Espace. It was primarily known for its work as a major contractor for the Keating National Space Program that took place between 1986 and 1996. In 2007 Auspace was acquired by the Nova Group, and was absorbed completely into the two10degrees Ltd. subsidiary in 2019.

History

Even before the National Space Program, Auspace was a large player in the Australian space industry, managing parts of the multi-million dollar UV-optical space telescope Starlab project. The working relationship formed with the

Department of Industry, Technology and Commerce The Department of Industry, Technology and Commerce was an Australian government department that existed between December 1984 and March 1993. History The Department was created by the Hawke Government in December 1984, a substantial ...

under the project would be beneficial when the National Space Program commenced a few years later in 1986. Under the National Space Program, Auspace received 28% of all funds distributed, the most of any company besides British Aerospace Australia. Under the program, Auspace developed instruments for

CSIRO The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) is an Australian Government The Australian Government, also known as the Commonwealth Government, is the national government of Australia, a federal parliamentar ...

Hispasat Hispasat is the operating company for a number of Spanish communications satellites that cover the Americas, Europe and North Africa from orbital positions 30.0° West and 61.0° West. It was formed in 1989 and its activities include provision ...

, Locstar, and multiple other major projects. In December 1988 Auspace was sold to Plessey Australia. After the bankruptcy of Plessy later that year, Auspace was bought by Matra Marconi Space. In 1992 the Auspace built ''Endeavour'' satellite made its inaugural launch, but failed to fulfill the mission requirements. In 1995 the satellite was successfully relaunched. In 2007 Auspace was purchased by the Nova Group. In 2019 it was merged with two10degrees.

References

{{Spaceflight Space programme of Australia 1982 establishments in Australia Technology companies established in 1982 Aerospace companies of Australia Australian companies disestablished in 2019