NBNCo has shortlisted its Satellite Operators

The Australian Newspaper within Mitchell Bingemann's article have indicated that the NBNCo has shortlisted Satellite Operators based on an earlier Request for Capability Statement.

It identifies that Optus, Intelsat and Hughes Network Systems are understood to be on the shortlist.  This would also indicate that NBNCo is interested in a 3rd party operating the Satellite network, rather than purchasing the satellites themselves.

More will be known when NBNCo releases the RFT in a few weeks time.

Hayabusa Return Interactive Event

To correspond with the Hayabusa spacecraft return to Earth at Woomera on the 13th of June, the Hayabusa project manager, Dr Junichiro Kawaguchi, and Australian Scientist Dr. Trevor Ireland, will be participating in an Interactive Event on the 6th of June. The even will be hosted by Questacon in Canberra, as well as The Victorian Space Science Education Centre (VSSEC) in Melbourne.

For full details about how to attend (tickets are free), head here.

Aussies and Kiwis link up to boost SKA chances

Six radio telescopes across both Australia and New Zealand have linked up to perform Radio Astronomy for the first time, creating a telescope baseline of 5500km. In doing so, they have created images that are 10 times more detailed than those of the Hubble Telescope.

The team from Australian and New Zealand imaged the Centaurus A galaxy, which is over 14 million light years away. The team included Auckland University of Technology’s Warkworth telescope, three CSIRO telescopes in New South Wales, the new Australian SKA Pathfinder (ASKAP) facility in WA, and the University of Tasmania’s dish near Hobart.

The new link up was enabled by the new 1Gbps Kiwi Advanced Research and Education Network (KAREN) connection allowing data transfer across the Tasman.

I must say, I find this “competitive science” attitude between Australia and South Africa wonderful, with both countries trying to out-science each other in the race for the SKA. In the end, it seems the science is the true winner, with the reverse situation than normal occurring. Politicians coming to scientists, and asking what they can do for them!

The CSIRO media release is here.


Well done Team ANZ SKA.

Tidbinbilla, Honeysuckle Creek and Orroral valley facilities honoured by AIAA

 The CDSCC with some locals (CSIRO)

The AIAA has honoured the Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex (CDSCC) at Tidbinbilla, and former NASA tracking stations at Honeysuckle Creek and Orroral Valley as sites of Historic Aerospace Significance.

AIAA President Dave Thompson has unveiled a historic marker as part of the public ceremony on May 25th, 2010 at Tidbinbilla.

This now joins Woomera to be the second AIAA recognised site of Historic Aerospace Significance in Australia.

For the AIAA press release, go here.
For CSIRO coverage, go here.

Australian Space Policy will cover both Defence and Civilian Space

In the recent article for Flight Global found here, Michael Green has indicated that the new Australian Space Policy will cover both Defence and Civilian Space activities in Australia.

He has also indicated a few more topics that are currently being considered by the Space Policy Unit including:

 "climate change, weather forecasting, natural resource management, forestry and agriculture, disaster management, national security, communications, Earth observation and remote sensing, position navigation and timing applications"

NBN study recommends satellites used for solution

The recent NBN implementation study which can be found here has supported the use of satellite broadband coverage to the most remote populations within Australia as the most cost effective method for the last few percentiles of Australia’s population.

The study states:


“The Implementation Study therefore recommends that NBN Co deploy two Ka-band satellites with the ability to cover the 7 percent of premises outside the fibre footprint and provisioned for up to 350,000 activated premises with sufficient throughput to enable a substantial increase in average data rates from today”

NBN Co has recently been soliciting responses from the satellite industry for the supply of a Ka band satellite capability, involving two satellites. One would suggest that this recommendation will allow NBN Co to proceed to the next step and start a formal RFP sometime soon.

The use of Satellite to provided high speed broadband to remote Australia is a great example of how Australia can use Space technologies to provide cost effective solutions to everyday Australians. I hope as part of the NBN Co process we will also see some of the satellite development done in Australia.

Space Balloon crashes in the Australian Outback

Whilst it has been well reported across the internet, the recent NASA balloon launch carrying the University of California, Berkeley's Nuclear Compton Telescope (NCT) had a spectacular launch failure recently near Alice Springs. In fact, by the sounds of things, we are lucky not to be reporting the first Space related fatality in Australia.

The balloon broke free from its anchor cables after a freak gust of wind, sending the payload smashing into the ground, and overturning a 4WD in the process. Fortunately the payload just missed several spectators before crashing and almost completely destroying the ultra sensitive payload.

Here’s the raw ABC video from the launch.

Tidbinbilla AIAA Historic Aerospace Site dedication

The Sydney Section of the AIAA has announced that the Tidbinbilla, Honeysuckle Creek and Orroral Valley Space Tracking Stations have been designated as global AIAA Historic Aerospace Sites.

There will be a site dedication at the Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex on the 25th of May at 10am. Attendance at the event is by invitation only.

For more information head here:

https://info.aiaa.org/Regions/Int/Sydney/Lists/Calendar/DispForm.aspx?ID=27

Public lecture: New Developments in Space Exploration, Defence and Commerce

The AIAA Sydney Section is putting on a Public Lecture at 6:30pm on the 24th of May, to be given by AIAA President David Thompson, Chairman & CEO, Orbital Sciences Corporation.

Everybody is welcome, and no RSVP is required, so get on down to the Japan Theatre, Questacon, King Edward Tce, Parkes, ACT if you can.

Further information can be found at:
https://info.aiaa.org/Regions/Int/Sydney/Lists/Calendar/DispForm.aspx?ID=28

Video footage of the announcement of the Space Industry Innovation Council at Uni SA

For those who haven't seen it, here is some footage of Minister Carr announcing the Space Industry Innovation Council at the University of South Australia.

Draft ASDC Program announced

 The National Space Society of Australia has released a draft program for the 11th Australian Space Development Conference to be held in Adelaide on the 5th to the 7th of July. This year, the ASDC will also host a parallel technical conference by the Engineers Australia’s National Committee on Space Engineering called the “National Space Engineering Symposium”.

The ASDC conference Plenary Sessions include:
• Australian Space On The Move
• Capacity Building: The Role of Government
• Australia's Dependence on Space Services: A Report Card
• New Directions In Space: Challenges and Opportunities for Australia
• Charting the Future Direction
• "Lost in Space": 18 Months On

It is clear that the ASDC conference is expanding quite heavily this year, linked to the recent uptake in the Australian Space Sector. There are four parallel tracks, with a wide range of topics that are directly relevant to the Australian Space Industry.

If you are interested in the Australian Space Industry, I can highly recommend attending this conference, as it is the premier event on the Australian Space calendar. The draft program can be found here.

Recent Australian Government contracts in the Space domain

The Australian government has recently spent over $800,000 in a diverse range of Space contracts to Australian industry.

Whilst several contracts related to the current Space Policy Unit’s review of Australia’s Space capabilities, they are all very welcome as they will directly support Australian Space expertise, and enhance our overall industry direction.

At a quick glace, the recently awarded contracts include:

$474,743.50 to EOS Space Systems Pty Ltd to “Delivery of Satellite Laser Ranging Services at Mt Stromlo.”
$109,230 to Symbios Communications to “Review of Australia's Domestic Space Capabilities – Element”
$88,000 to Asia Pacific Aerospace Consultants to “Review of Australia's Domestic Space Capabilities – Element”
$77,930 to Sinclair Knight Merz Pty Ltd to “Review on Domestic Space Capabilities - Element 1”
$45,858 to Mallesons Stephen Jaques for Advice on Australian Space Research Program
$18,200 to Waterfield Consulting to “facilitate the Space Industry Innovation Council Meetings”

Michael Green at APRSAF-16 shows interest in regional GPS

 (photo: APRSAF website)

 Having a read of the interview of Michael Green at APRSAF-16, which can be found here


Michael is quoted as saying “I know Japan has its Quasi-Zenith Satellite System, a regional GPS that is under development. We may want to have discussions concerning this kind of regional GPS or other initiatives in that area. That’s one of the things I’m considering.”

Is this something that Michael Green said off the top of his head? Or is the Australian government considering involvement in some sort of regional GPS?

I guess it does line up with one of the stated priorities of the Space Policy Unit – namely the navigation priority. Does anyone know anything further on this one?

Round 2 Applications for the Australian Space Research Program has closed

The Space Policy Unit has officially closed applications for round 2 of the Australian Space Research program. If it was as successful as Round 1, we should see some good competition, and even better projects funded for the Australian Space sector. No doubt many of those who missed out on grant money in round 1 will have re-entered in round 2. Round 2 is expected to be announced in July 2010, with Round 3 applications open from Aug/Sept 2010.

The Space Policy Unit has also released some guidance to applicants for the Australian Space Research Program which can be found here. In this presentation the Space Policy Unit highlights that 32 applications were received as part of Round 1, 12 within Stream A, and 20 within Stream B. Given only 1 Stream A and 3 Stream B projects were funded, this highlights just how competitive Round 1 was.

The Space Policy Unit has also identified that the Australian National Space Policy will be read by the end of 2010, perhaps a little behind expectations, but given they’re starting from the ground up, they’ll have a lot of work to do.

I also note that they’ve put 2013 as the end date for the Australian Space Research Program Funding. Lets hope this is because it will be replaced as part of an overall Australian National Space Policy, rather than just scrapped, without any thought, and destroying the gains made so far.

For further information on the Australian Space Research Program, head here.

Melbourne to Host the Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum

 In November 2010, Melbourne will play host the 17th Asia Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum (APRSAF-17) meeting.


APRSAF was established in 1993 to “enhance the development of each country’s space program and to exchange views towards future cooperation in space activities in the Asia-Pacific Region”.


Australia has regularly participated in APRSAF meetings previously, and has even hosted a meeting before. But it is perhaps the timing that strikes me as interesting on this one. The Space Policy Unit will be hosting a major regional Space Agency forum, at almost the exact same time as they are scheduled to announce their new Australian National Space Policy. Perhaps this meeting will provide the opportunity to make a big announcement?


It would also serve the Rudd Governments other aims through developing international cooperation, particularly in the Asia Pacific region, and help Australia begin to show some diplomatic strength with major regional space players such as Japan, China, Korea and India.


For more information on the APRSAF go here.