Adelaide-based artificial intelligence company AICraft has secured support through the Manufacturing Growth Accelerator (MGA) Program to develop advanced electronics that will enable the next generation of spaceborne radar systems.
“Supporting South Australian businesses to explore technologies, particularly in growth industries such as space and defence, is critical for the state’s manufacturing future," Government of South Australia, Minister for State Development, Chris Picton, stated.
Working in collaboration with Flinders University at the Factory of the Future facility in the Tonsley Innovation District, the project will focus on designing an advanced front-end electronics system for synthetic aperture radar (SAR) with a low-power analogue-to-digital converter (ADC) that connects directly to AICraft's Pulsar Pro edge computing device.
“Our journey with Flinders University – from residency at the New Venture Institute to employing Flinders graduates and now launching this research program - reflects a partnership that continues to grow in strength. Now we are developing a disruptive capability that meets the increasing demand for real-time information, with a solution compact enough to operate on 100 Kg-class satellites instead of multi-tonne platforms," CEO of AICraft, Tony Scoleri, said.
The initiative will push AICraft's capabilities beyond edge computing, enabling full-accuracy data acquisition and real-time signal processing directly on satellites, according to the company. Both front-end electronics and Pulsar Pro edge device will integrate with a lightweight and compact SAR antenna developed by partner Guerin Technologies (India).
“Flinders Factory of the Future partners with industry to bring together the right expertise, technologies, and world-class researchers - across Australia and globally - to tackle problems and develop solutions. The partnership with AICRAFT, combined with the support of the South Australian Government through the Manufacturing Growth Accelerator, is an outstanding example of what’s being achieved. Advances which not only position our state and nation for the future but deliver solutions for our community - and opportunity for our students," Flinders University Acting Vice-Chancellor, Ray Chan, affirmed.
Synthetic aperture radar systems generate extremely large volumes of data and find useful applications in agriculture, iceberg detection, mapping flood extents, tracking vessels, monitoring surface deformation and surveying infrastructure for damage.
Several hardware features will be designed and manufactured jointly with Flinders University researchers, laying the foundation for further advancements in next-generation space electronics.
A space technology demonstration of the system is planned for the second quarter (Q2) of 2027, where the electronics will be integrated into a satellite platform for in-orbit validation.
The project complements an earlier South Australian Space Collaboration and Innovation Fund sponsored by SASIC that supported collaboration between AICraft and Guerin Technologies to develop initial systems. Together, these innovations form key components of a fully integrated radar payload for future satellite missions.
The technology is expected to strengthen Australia’s sovereign capability in space electronics and advanced manufacturing, while also creating opportunities for integration into satellite constellations, airborne platforms and drone-based radar systems.
Through the collaboration with Flinders University, the project will deliver prototype hardware and validated designs that can support the rapidly growing global market for NewSpace radar and remote-sensing technologies.