Saber Astronautics is a global space operations company specialising in satellite mission control, space situational awareness, and advanced operations software. From its base at Adelaide’s Lot Fourteen Innovation Precinct, Saber supports satellite missions for government and commercial clients worldwide.
At the heart of Saber’s Australian operations is the Responsive Space Operations Centre (RSOC), in the Australian Space Agency headquarters.The RSOC functions as a mission control centre, coordinating satellite operations through hundreds of ground stations and international partners. A second RSOC in Boulder, Colorado enables a “follow-the-sun” operational model, providing continuous global coverage.
According to Saber Astronautics Chief Executive Officer Dr Jason Held, reliable, high-performance connectivity is fundamental to this work.
“We’re responsible for flying 18 tonnes of satellites and coordinating complex space operations across multiple countries and time zones. That requires fast, secure, and exceptionally stable connectivity. There’s no margin for failure.”
Saber connected to GigCity in 2021 when establishing the RSOC at Lot Fourteen. The decision was driven by the need for high-bandwidth, low-latency connectivity capable of supporting mission-critical operations.
“GigCity gives us the confidence that our systems can perform at the level required,” Dr Held explains. “We’re coordinating hundreds of communication dishes and sensors with large volumes of data in real time. That simply isn’t possible without robust digital infrastructure.”
One of the most significant demonstrations of this capability was Saber’s role as the Pacific lead for Space Domain Awareness during multinational wargames run by US Space Command. Over nearly four years, the RSOC coordinated hundreds of participants across multiple nations, tracking complex activities in space.
“That level of coordination depends on fast, secure, and reliable connectivity,” says Dr Held. “GigCity was a key enabler of that work.”
Saber’s presence in South Australia has also been shaped by strong government support for the space sector.
“South Australia has been incredibly supportive of space and defence industries,” Dr Held notes. “The state has built an ecosystem that enables companies like ours to operate globally while remaining based here.”
Dr Held himself relocated from New South Wales to Adelaide to support the establishment of the RSOC and engage with the local and vibrant space community.
“It’s been a great experience. South Australia offers an excellent lifestyle, and we love the wine country and outdoors experiences, but more importantly, it has a growing, highly capable space and technology sector. That combination is powerful.”
Being located within an innovation precinct has also delivered broader benefits. Lot Fourteen brings together government agencies, research institutions, startups, and established technology companies, creating a highly collaborative environment.
“There’s real value in being surrounded by like-minded organisations,” Dr Held says. “Innovation precincts create opportunities for collaboration, shared resources, and cross-disciplinary thinking that you simply don’t get in isolation.”
Looking ahead, Saber Astronautics plans to continue expanding its operations and supporting Australia’s space capability, while also exporting Australian expertise and services internationally.
“Our focus is on delivering the best space operations services in the country and growing the industry alongside government and commercial partners. We are particularly focused on exporting Australian products and services overseas and are building customer channel relationships internationally so we can all rise together,” says Dr Held. “Having the right digital infrastructure in place is essential to that future.”
GigCity plays a critical role in enabling Saber Astronautics to operate at a global standard from an innovation precinct in South Australia supporting secure, high-performance connectivity where it matters most.
Saber Astronautics website: https://www.saberastro.com/
GigCity is a Government of South Australia initiative delivering affordable, high-speed internet to innovation precincts across the state.
Participating businesses experience gigabit speed broadband, enabling greater collaboration between colleagues and easy sharing with clients around the world.
For more information, visit gigcity.com.au.
