SmartSat CRC is Australia's leading space research center, functioning as a consortium of research organizations, universities, and industry partners, and is funded by the Australian government. Established in 2019, it aims to develop know-how and technologies in advanced telecommunications, intelligent satellite systems, next-generation Earth observation, and IoT connectivity. SmartSat CRC fosters innovation, develops advanced technologies, and aims to enhance Australia's space capabilities. It collaborates with entities like the Australian Space Agency, Department of Defence, Airbus, and various universities to grow Australia's space industry, create export economic value, and generate new high-tech jobs.
All verified mentions of this organization in source documents.
SmartSat CRC leveraged more than $270 million in combined investment.
SmartSat CRC supported more than 60 space start-ups and emerging companies through access to funding, expertise, infrastructure, and collaborative networks.
ASII estimates that SmartSat-supported research and industry development activities will generate over $1.2 billion in economic impact.
SmartSat CRC received a $55 million Australian Government investment through the Cooperative Research Centres Program.
SmartSat CRC engaged more than 175 Australian and international partners and more than 400 researchers.
ASII is novating 35 remaining SmartSat CRC key projects and 16 milestones to the institute to maintain continuity of funding, partnerships, and delivery beyond the CRC term.
SmartSat CRC supported international collaboration through the UK Space Bridge and the Australia–New Zealand Collaborative Space Program.
SmartSat CRC delivered over 200 research and development projects across satellite communications, artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, Earth observation, space situational awareness, and positioning, navigation and timing technologies.
On February 18, 2026, Loft Orbital signed a deal with Australia’s SmartSat CRC to deploy an edge-AI wildfire detection application onto existing on-orbit infrastructure.
SmartSat Cooperative Research Center focuses on developing sovereign space technologies to address Australia’s environmental challenges.
Loft Orbital and the SmartSat Cooperative Research Center signed a contract to deploy a wildfire detection application to on-orbit satellites.
The project is funded by the Australian Government through the SmartSat Cooperative Research Center.
Following successful validation on Loft’s current assets, Loft and SmartSat CRC intend to explore a broader rollout across Loft’s expanding constellation of AI-enabled satellites.
The Australian government will fund the project through SmartSat Cooperative Research Center.
SmartSat Cooperative Research Center is a research consortium focused on advancing Australian space sovereignty.
The Loft–SmartSat CRC demonstration aims to validate sovereign Earth observation capabilities for the Australian government and wildfire-fighting agencies.
By leveraging Loft’s on-orbit AI infrastructure, SmartSat CRC can bypass the multi-year hardware development cycle typically required for new Earth observation missions.
Loft Orbital’s on-orbit AI-enabled satellites will host a software-defined wildfire detection application developed with SmartSat CRC.
Loft Orbital is partnering with SmartSat Cooperative Research Center to demonstrate an AI-powered wildfire detection software on Loft Orbital satellites.
The Loft–SmartSat CRC initiative builds on the Kanyini mission, Australia’s first sovereign state-led satellite, which launched in late 2024 and features SmartSat CRC technology.