Shoal Group awarded contract by Airbus for DST Resilient Multi-mission Space STaR Shot design engineering support

Sydney, 20 July 2022

Complex engineering and analysis company, Shoal Group, has signed a multi-year strategic partnership agreement with Airbus for the Australian Defence Science and Technology Group’s (DSTG) Resilient Multi-mission Space (RMS) STaR Shot program. 

Shoal’s expertise in enabling solutions through digital engineering of complex space projects will support the design, manufacture, launch and operation of at least four smallsat missions over ten years.  

“The RMS STaR Shot program is part of the larger Defence strategy to align strategic research to force structure priorities and provide resilient space-based services to protect and defend Australia’s national interests,” said Shaun Wilson, Chief Executive Officer, and Founder at Shoal Group.  

“In partnering with Airbus, Shoal supports the RMS STaR Shot through the provision of digital engineering expertise for complex systems of systems. We are building upon our twenty plus years of experience in defence and space to deliver sovereign capability for Australia, to assure access to space and participate in the global economy.” 

“There is long-term growth potential here for Australian industry to commercialise these mission-oriented space capabilities to support the Australian Defence Forces.” 

Richard Franklin, Managing Director of Airbus Defence and Space UK said: “Partnering with Australia for this RMS STaR Shot agreement demonstrates our firm commitment to further enhancing the sovereign space capability and expertise of the Australian space sector. We will be working hand in hand with our Australian partners and DSTG to identify the key skills, technologies, and strategic advantages that this partnership can deliver to enable Australia to become a global space player in the next decade.” 

Along with Shoal Group, Airbus has partnered with Inovor, University of South Australia, University of Melbourne, Australian National University, University of New South Wales Canberra, and Deloitte to provide expertise in support of RMS STaR Shot, and to support the delivery of multiple smallsat satellite missions for DSTG over the coming years. The team will provide significant upskilling of the Australian space sector and help to transfer leading-edge space technology into operational capability to secure Australia’s national interests in space.