• Credit: Airbus
    Credit: Airbus
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Airbus has formed 'Team Maier' and said it will partner with key Australian space and technology companies, and academia, as it launches its solution to Joint Project (JP) 9102 to provide a complete Defence Satellite Communications System.

'Maier' is a word from the language of the Meriam people of the eastern Torres Strait islands. Airbus has not specified its meaning.

“We have always recognised the expertise and capabilities that Australian companies and academia can bring to our business, and how important synergies can be achieved," Andrew Mathewson, for Airbus Head of Country – Australia and NZ, said. "Reinforcing our long-standing commitment to the Commonwealth of Australia, our new Team Maier brings in partners to enable the ADF to achieve its strategic objectives of 'Shape, Deter, and Respond' across the Indo-Pacific region.

“Airbus has injected more than $950 million of activities into the Australian aerospace industry over the last three years, for civil and military fixed-wing and rotary wing aircraft, generating economic benefits of over $1.7 billion for Australia. We are now looking to build on that with space.

“Airbus thanks the Meriam people of the Eastern Islands of the Torres Strait for permission to use their language in the naming of our JP9102 Industry Team, and pays respect to their Elders, past and present."

Airbus has owned and operated the UK Skynet military satellite communications system for more than 15 years on behalf of the UK Ministry of Defence under a multi-billion contract. Through the Skynet program, Airbus provides a range of space-based services to export customers worldwide including Australia, the US and other NATO Allies. 

In 2016 Airbus invested in a brand new purpose built satellite ground station in Adelaide, to land Skynet secure military satellite communications. This key ground station in Australia extended its existing chain of teleports in France, Germany, Norway, the UK and the USA, providing global coverage in both fixed and mobile satellite services.

This worldwide teleport network provides global coverage for connectivity services by providing the link between the satellite constellation and terrestrial networks.

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