Australian satellite control technology farm Saber Astronautics has developed a new technology that can forecast a satellite’s performance and display it to an operator.

Developed with a grant from Jobs for NSW initiative by the New South Wales (NSW) government, the technology will also help companies to easily monitor and control several satellites.

Saber Astronautics CEO Dr Jason Held said: “Satellites have thousands of components, which need to be monitored, any failures can cost millions of dollars in business losses.

“Our software can predict a satellite’s performance and display it to an operator, allowing companies to monitor and control many satellites with the least effort.

“This is an enabler for future Australian companies, many of whom may have limited experience in flight.”

Saber Astronautics has also used the Jobs for NSW grant to develop a commercial spacecraft mission plan for Fleet Space Technologies, which is planning to fly 100 Internet of Things (IoT) satellites.

“This is an enabler for future Australian companies, many of whom may have limited experience in flight.”

NSW deputy premier and small business minister John Barilaro said: “Saber is a pioneering Sydney company, which has developed amazing technology that combines video game design methods and machine learning to control and to monitor a large number of satellites with the least number of people.

“This incredible technology is helping to position NSW for new business and jobs in the quickly booming small satellite sector.

“This has many applications for traditional Australian sectors including agriculture and mining. It includes space-based support for the fast growing IoT market for connected devices, expected to grow to $6tn by 2025.”

It is estimated that around 2,000 new satellites are expected to be launched by 2020 to power various new business ideas.

Image: CEO Saber Astronautics Jason Held. Photo: courtesy of State of New South Wales / Jobs for NSW.