Terram Astra has announced a seed capital raise to activate a new sovereign ground-based infrastructure platform designed to strengthen defence readiness, space safety, and communications resilience across the Indo-Pacific. The seed capital raise will cost US $10 million (approx. A $14 million).
“Australia and our allies are facing accelerating risks across congested orbits, fragile subsea cables, and a shortage of sovereign test and training infrastructure,” Terram Astra Chief Executive Officer, Sean Thomas, said.
“Terram Astra delivers scalable, ground-based solutions that directly address these vulnerabilities.”
The platform has integrated two initial capabilities - Shot Comms, a sovereign optical and Radio Frequency satellite communications network, and Orbit Dram, a ground-based orbital debris mitigation and monitoring system - co-located at secure purpose built hubs.
“This is infrastructure built to operate for decades. It cannot be interdicted offshore, it cannot be switched off by foreign operators, and it provides assured access for Australian and allied government or commercial missions," Thomas stated.
“The Defence, government and private sectors need a sovereign continuity layer for communications and SHOT Comms delivers that layer with deterministic performance and national control – this is a national vulnerability.”
Terram Astra’s first hub, located near Alice Springs, will provide shared power, fibre, security, and operations for multiple mission-critical services. The inland location, the company claims, offers hardened resilience, persistent clear skies, and sovereign control.
“Orbital debris is also a strategic risk and regulatory imperative - Orbit DRAM provides a scalable, sovereign mitigation capability aligned with emerging regulatory and insurer requirements," Thomas highlighted.
After receiving significant interest from prospective clients in the United States, Japan and other allied nations, Terram Astra has launched a seed round to raise funds that will operationalise the platform.
“This is an exciting phase for Terram Astra as we progress to activate the first Central Australian hub, deploy initial SHOT Comms and Orbit DRAM systems, secure early defence, government, and commercial customers and underwrite a future Series A expansion in 2027,” Thomas affirmed.
“This seed round offers a rare opportunity for investors aligned with sovereign capability and AUKUS Pillar II priorities, that will service a sustained demand from Australian and international clients.”
“Once operational, Terram Astra plans to expand its capabilities to offer Wallis STARR - an all-domains and commercially accessible training, testing, and research range for autonomous and emerging technologies."