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Australian firms Axiom and Nupress will work with American defence prime Lockheed Martin on the Orion spacecraft program.
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Axiom Precision Manufacturing and the Nupress Group have been selected as global supply chain partners by Lockheed for the project, which is a cornerstone of NASA’s Artemis missions to the Moon.
Both companies will supply precision machined components for the Orion program.
Axiom and Nupress were identified as potential partners for the Orion program after establishing themselves as industry partners on the F-35 program. Both companies were awarded contracts under Lockheed Martin’s Global Supply Chain Program agreement with the Commonwealth of Australia.
“Nupress is honoured to strengthen our partnership with Lockheed Martin through the Orion spacecraft program,” Nupress chief executive officer Craig McWilliam said.
“This opportunity reinforces our commitment to world-class manufacturing that delivers successful outcomes.
“We are excited to continue our journey in the space sector and work with Lockheed Martin to support NASA’s missions to the moon.”
The Orion production and operations contract, an indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract, encompasses up to 12 vehicles, divided into three or four different orders.
Up to six additional Orion spacecraft may be ordered under the IDIQ contract, leveraging production cost data from the previous six missions to enable optimised unit prices.
Warren McDonald, chief executive at Lockheed Martin Australia and New Zealand, congratulated both firms on their selection for the program.
“Axiom and Nupress exemplify the vast industrial capability available in Australia. Their commitment to quality and innovation aligns perfectly with Lockheed Martin’s dedication to delivering excellence. This is an example of how the Global Supply Chain program has allowed us to partner with and provide opportunities for Australian industry to shape the future of defence and space exploration,” Mr McDonald said.
The project is expected to shape history by paving the way for the first woman and the next man to set foot on the moon, transported from Earth aboard the Orion spacecraft.
“Axiom is proud to contribute to the Orion spacecraft program,” Axiom general manager Craig Maynard said.
“This new partnership with Lockheed Martin exemplifies our dedication to precision, innovation and embracing complex challenges, and we look forward to our expanding role in advancing space exploration.”
