Adelaide’s space spider heads for the Moon
In a story that links a South Australian school desk to a lunar surface, the Adelaide-based space company Fleet Space Technologies has turned a student’s art into a piece of space hardware. In 2023, Fleet Space ran a competition with a coveted prize: have the winner’s design 3D-printed onto a shell of a cutting-edge seismic research device. The winning designer was Vatsal Jigneshkumar Thakkar, a student from South Australia, whose artwork now adorns one side of the SPIDER device — the Seismic Payload for Interplanetary Discovery, Exploration, and Research.
From classroom drawing board to space hardware
Vatsal’s winning artwork blends biology, chemistry, and astronomy motifs, a nod to the interdisciplinary nature of space exploration. The 3D-printed design sits on the exterior of the SPIDER shell, a visible symbol of how young minds can contribute to real missions. As part of the prize, Vatsal and his school each received a custom model of the SPIDER device featuring his artwork, and he and 20 guests were treated to a tour of Fleet Space’s new headquarters in Adelaide.
The SPIDER mission and its lunar journey
SPIDER, which stands for Seismic Payload for Interplanetary Discovery, Exploration, and Research, is designed to study the Moon’s interior by measuring seismic activity. The mission places a premium on understanding the lunar surface and hunting for ice deposits — a critical resource for future exploration and sustained human activity on the Moon. The artwork-adorned SPIDER is slated to ride to the Moon as part of Firefly Aerospace’s Blue Ghost Mission 2, scheduled to reach the lunar South Pole in 2026.
The path to the Moon involves Firefly’s two-stage spacecraft. The Elytra orbital vehicle will deploy the Blue Ghost lander into lunar orbit; from there, the lander will deliver SPIDER to the Moon’s surface. In addition to this mission, the plan includes surveying the asteroid Apophis when it makes a close approach to Earth, coming within about 32,000 kilometres in 2029. The mission’s dual focus on the Moon and near-Earth objects underlines the interconnected goals of planetary science and practical exploration technology.
A milestone for Adelaide: a new global hub
Fleet Space marked its 10th anniversary with a symbolic milestone: the opening of a new 5,300 square metre global headquarters and advanced manufacturing facility at Adelaide Airport’s Catalyst Park. The milestone was celebrated during the Horizon Global Summit, an event that gathers international leaders in space, resources, and technology. While the summit highlighted Fleet Space’s global collaborations — including ongoing work with NASA — the success story at the center of the celebrations remained Vatsal’s achievement and the local impact on South Australia.
Why this matters beyond the launchpad
Vatsal’s design represents more than a student’s triumph; it demonstrates the tangible connections between education, industry, and space exploration. The project showcases how young people can contribute to real-world missions, reinforcing Adelaide’s role as a growing hub for space science and technology. The partnership between a regional educational community and an international space program also underscores the importance of local innovation feeding into global science initiatives. As SPIDER readies for its voyage to the Moon, Adelaide is positioned not just as a launch city, but as a cradle for ideas that travel farther than ever before.
Looking ahead
With 2026 on the horizon for the lunar South Pole mission and 2029 for Apophis’ close approach, the broader public story becomes one of inspiration and aspiration. A South Australian student’s artwork sailing toward the Moon is a vivid reminder that the next generation could help illuminate the mysteries of space. Adelaide’s space spider is more than a technical project; it’s a cultural moment that ties local achievement to global exploration.
