Navigation and autonomous systems developer Advanced Navigation has teamed up with Gilmour Space Technologies to develop a space-graded high-shock Inertial Navigation System (INS) that can withstand the extreme conditions of a rocket launch in the latest collaboration ahead of Australia’s first commercial space mission.

The project is being supported by a $856,077 grant issued to Sydney-based Advanced Navigation by the Australian Space Agency as Gilmour progresses plans this year to launch its Eris orbital vehicle from the Bowen Orbital Spaceport in North Queensland.

“In the vast emptiness of space, without external guides, rockets rely on a sophisticated suite of navigation, guidance, and control (GNC) systems,” says Chris Shaw, the CEO and co-founder of Advanced Navigation.

“The onboard navigation system must withstand dynamic conditions, gravitational forces and the intricate physics of orbital mechanics, while providing a reliable flight path. Put simply, the system must be indestructible.

“Our engineers are excited to continue their innovations in developing sensors for high-stakes environments. We look forward to supporting Gilmour Space in advancing Australian-made launch vehicles to help lower the cost of accessing space.”

Advanced Navigation secured its Australian Space Agency grant as part of the Moon to Mars Initiative, a government program designed to expand the national space sector.

Advanced Navigation is described as a global leader in navigation and autonomous systems, and by leveraging its capabilities in software-enhanced hardware the company has progressed into deep technology fields, including robotics, artificial intelligence, underwater acoustics and GPS antennas and receivers.

The company last year won a major contract with military vehicle developer Rheinmetall Defence Australia to supply its fibre-optic gyroscope inertial navigation systems for the company’s Boxer Combat Reconnaissance Vehicles.

The onboard INS of rockets consists of high-end sensors that can detect the smallest change in noise and vibration, but to ensure accurate and reliable performance, these delicate components must be shielded from the extreme forces experienced during launch.

Among the innovative solutions is the integration of a high-shock enclosure, a protective barrier encircling the INS housing, which acts as a cushion between the system and the surrounding structure.

By dampening these shocks, the enclosure prevents disruptive forces from reaching the sensors, preserving their precision in the harshest conditions.

“This partnership brings together two companies committed to growing Australia’s sovereign aerospace capabilities,” says Kody Cook, the deputy chief engineer at Gilmour Space.

“We look forward to working with Advanced Navigation on future missions to enhance our launch and satellite systems for our global customers.”

Late last year, the Gold Coast-based Gilmour Space Technologies was cleared by federal authorities to launch its sovereign-developed Eris rocket from the Bowen Orbital Spaceport, marking a major milestone for the domestic space industry.

The company has already completed a major “wet dress rehearsal” of its Eris launch vehicle, progressing the countdown to T-10 seconds.

Advanced Navigation will work with Gilmour Space to test the navigation system in a series of simulations to gauge its failure point.

“The simulations create the perfect storm for system failure, in which the INS must survive being repeatedly shaken, frozen, heated, smashed, crushed and pulled - a series of critical milestones to overcome before it is truly ready for blast-off,” says Advanced Navigation.

Gilmour Space has yet to announce when it will launch its first test flight for Eris which is expected to among several planned test launches to reach orbit.

 “Projects like this one demonstrate the ingenuity that Australia has to offer our international partners in space,” says Enrico Palermo, head of the Australian Space Agency.

“Through this investment we are helping Australian companies gain crucial space heritage and grow strong customer bases which will generate more opportunities for Australia to collaborate on the global stage.”

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