Gilmour Space lands satellite contract with WA’s LatConnect 60 for orbital carbon emissions observations

Queensland startup Gilmour Space is teaming up with Perth-based Earth observation company LatConnect60 in the second deal involving the rocket builder’s 100-kilogram satellite “bus”, ElaraSat.

The collaboration comes just weeks after Gilmour Space landed regulatory approval for the launch of its 23-metres-high Eris rocket in an orbital test flight from its rocket launch pad in North Queensland at Abbot Point, known as the Bowen Orbital Spaceport.

The 11-year-old Gold Coast startup has designed, developed and built the first Australian-made orbital rocket using new propulsion technologies developed by Gilmour. A launch date for Eris TestFlight1 is expected shortly.

Meanwhile, the LatConnect60 project is a demonstration mission to provide high-resolution insights into methane and carbon emissions from space.

LatConnect60 will use the emissions data to support the agriculture, resources, and other sectors in reducing their carbon footprint.

ElaraSat is a platform that acts like a chassis for a satellite payload such as sensors, cameras and computer, providing payload with power, attitude control, communications, and structural support.

The deal is part of the Australian Space Agency’s International Space Investment India Projects program and LatConnect60’s Short-Wave Infrared Imagery Satellite (SWIRSAT) will carry advanced sensors and an edge computer provided by Sydney-based Spiral Blue. The components will be integrated onto the ElaraSat bus at Gilmour Space’s Queensland Australian Space Manufacturing Network facility, and launched by Skyroot Aerospace in India.

“SWIRSAT will generate critical insights from very high spatial resolution Earth observation data in the short wave infrared range,” LatConnect60 founder and CEO Venkat Pillay said.

“It will pinpoint and quantify source-level carbon emissions at a high accuracy, filling a key data gap in the market from Low Earth Orbit (LEO).”

Gilmour Space head of satellites  Mark Grimminck said the project provides important capability for Australia and beyond.

“This 100-kilogram prototype satellite will be a key milestone in LatConnect60’s vision to deploy a LEO constellation that will deliver vital Earth observation data and insights, starting with carbon emissions monitoring, to both government and commercial customers,” he said.

Gilmour Space  also plans to kick off a new suborbital flight test service in Australia next year for commercial and defence customers that require hypersonic speeds above Mach 5 (five times the speed of sound).