Space

Problem solving for space

Space is becoming a domain no longer just in the realms of government. We utilise space today for the benefit of us here on Earth, for communications, securing our borders and innovations to assist in natural disasters and the environment.

To help solve the challenges of getting to and from space, operating in space, and utilising data from space, Shoal uses our rigorous problem-solving capabilities to enable our clients to understand the full project context. We help to develop new capabilities and technologies, make better decisions, adapt, avoid risks, and achieve objectives.

Why Shoal for space?

As a team of rocket scientists, physicists, mathematicians, and aerospace engineers, Shoal has been working in the space sector for over two decades.

We have helped lead the development and growth of the Australian Space economy. Shoal became one of the earliest members of the Australian Space Agency’s Support Services Panel to help manage launch risk and safety, and was a founding member of the SmartSat Cooperative Research Centre to develop technologies in advanced communications, satellite systems and Earth observation data services.

Shoal works through complex problems using Systems Engineering methodologies including Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) and Digital Engineering, along with Modelling, Simulation and Analysis (MSA). One of our innovations is our award winning Shoal Aerospace and Risk Capability (SHARC) successfully applied to support the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) in the modelling and simulation behind the safe landing of the Hayabusa2 sample return capsule.

We are partnering with industry and academia including Lockheed Martin Australia (LMA) on Joint Project (JP) 9102 in a bid to deliver a next-generation military satellite communications (MILSATCOM) system for Defence, and the Swinburne University of Technology to explore opportunities within the Australian-first Aerostructures Innovation Research Hub (AIR Hub) on hypersonics, advanced air mobility systems such as electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, hydrogen propulsion, Artificial Intelligence (AI) enabled design and analysis and space structures.

Challenges for the space industry

Shoal expertise

Fast, effective systems engineering development, reduction in deficiencies in space systems design
Flexible, agile, robust and scalable digital engineering capability
Digital systems engineering capacity and maintenance of a leading-edge mindset
Compliance to the Space Launch regulatory framework
Empirical evidence to demonstrate Space Launch compliance
Safe and effective sovereign space launches

Space system capability design and realisation
Space systems decision support analytics
High-fidelity space systems modelling and performance predictions
Revolutionising digital transformation in Space Systems Engineering
Application of machine learning to space based problems
Accelerating careers of next generation Space System Engineers

Awards

Shoal Group has won a number of industry recognised awards in the space sector, including company awards for Innovator of the Year at the 2022 Australian Space Industry Awards, SME Business of the Year at the 2021 Australian Space Industry Awards, Project Innovation Award from the 2021 Simulation Australasia Awards and Graduate Program of the Year at the inaugural 2020 Australian Space Awards 2020. Our team of professionals has also brought home individual awards, including NextGen winner at the 2022 AAUS Industry Champions Awards, the Ray Page Lifetime Simulation Achievement Award and the John Mitchell Early Career Innovator Award from 2021 Simulation Australasia Awards.