Australian Space Research Program Round 2 Winners!

On the 14th of July, The Minister for Space (well, that's how I see him), Kim Carr, announced the Round 2 winners of the Australian Space Research Program.

Those winners are:

Stream A: Space Education and Development Grants

Project: Southern Hemisphere Summer Space Program
Consortium: University of South Australia, International Space University
Grant: $475,658
Project Description: The project will develop an intensive five week summer program
conducted by the University of South Australia and the International Space
University. The program will provide inter-disciplinary knowledge and skills to
professionals, graduate researchers and senior undergraduate students, leading to
a graduate qualification or credit towards undergraduate programs. The program
will be available to Australian and international students over three summers and
will teach the key concepts and latest developments in:
- space science and technology
- space applications
- space business
- international and national space policy
- legal and regulatory issues
- space life sciences.



Stream B: Space Science and Innovation Projects

Project: GRACE Follow-on Mission
Consortium: The Australian National University, CSIRO, EOS Space Systems Pty Ltd, Jet Propulsion Laboratory,Californian Institute of Technology, Max Planck Institute for Gravitational Physics(Albert Einstein Institute), National Measurement Institute
Grant: $4,673,001
Project description: The project will develop prototype hardware for a laser ranging system suitable to be flown on NASA’s GRACE Follow-on mission, scheduled for launch in 2016. The current GRACE mission (Gravity Recover and Climate Experiment) is an incredibly successful satellite mission that has provided new and unexpected insights into the natural process of the Earth, including for example, the ability to understand and predict the water balance across Australian catchments.
Along with the prototype hardware, the project will develop analysis capability in Australia to process raw observations from the mission. Importantly, it will develop new links between Australian institutions and international partners at the forefront of space-based instruments.

Project: Automated Laser Tracking of Space Debris
Consortium : EOS Space Systems Pty Ltd, Australian National University, Defence Science and Technology Organisation, Near Space Systems Inc.
Grant: $4,040,355
Project description: Current space surveillance and tracking systems have relatively high levels of uncertainty in orbit predictions which can result in collisions between satellites and space debris. This project will demonstrate automated precision tracking of space debris to provide improved space situational awareness. The consortium will demonstrate fully remote and automated operation of a high performance laser tracking station, and provide an authoritative assessment of its ability to contribute to improved orbit determination of present and future surveillance of space systems. This project aims to develop an internationally competitive, commercially-viable, space surveillance industry built upon indigenous Australian technology.

Project: SAR Formation Flying
Consortium: University of New South Wales, BAE Systems Australia, Curtin University of Technology,
Delft University of Technology, General Dynamics, Astrium Limited
Grant: $4,664,583
Project description: This project will investigate synthetic aperture radar (SAR)satellites flying in small formations to significantly enhance real-time environmental monitoring. SAR satellites are unaffected by smoke, cloud, dust or volcanic ash which hamper optical earth observation). By simulating various formations of SAR satellites, this project will identify optimum orbits for monitoring over Australia and the region. The project will also develop the precision Global Navigation Satellite Systems relative positioning required to operate satellites in formation. Through this, the project will enable SAR to be used for a range of new applications such as timecritical disaster monitoring, environmental monitoring, climate change science and national security.


My Comments:
Firstly, a big congratulations to all. I hear that the grants process is very competitive, and clearly the high calibre of projects selected reflects that.

The Southern Hemispher Summer Space Program is a great step forward for the Australian Space Scene. The ISU is seen as the leading Space educational institution worldwide, and to have an annual program in Australia for the next 3 years at least is a massive boost. This will lead to many Australians educated in Space, as well as many space experts coming to Australia each year. I hear that the Uni of SA also plans a graduate certificate in Space Studies on the back of this as well. And they are doing it on such a small grant? What a great investment by the government.

The GRACE follow on mission - clearly the plan here is to position the team to actually build the flight hardware for the GRACE follow on mission. Mark this one down as something with a big future, and potentially real flight hardware on a NASA spacecraft. Some great international linkages here too.

The Automated Laser Tracking of Space Debris project, essentially gives some seed money to the boys at EOS to do what the do best. This is a great example of a niche area of technology in space that Australia is good at. I'd suggest in 5 years, we'll be exporting this one around the world.

The SAR Formation Flying project - this one was a bit of a surprise to me, from the standpoint that this technology is right at the cutting edge of things. Now I think SAR satellites and technologies have strong future in Australia, particularly in the defence arena, but SAR formation flying seems like the step that comes after we can handle the basic SAR capabilities. Regardless, I'm sure the team will develop those capabilities within this project. Some good linkages here too - I see with Astrium involved, I'm sure the European companies will take more interest in what's happening in Australia.

Overall, another great step for Australian Space. Four high class projects selected, and for only a small amount of government money! I must say, I can't believe how quickly things are happening in Australia now, and I hope this pace can keep getting quicker and quicker!

Round 3 Australia Space Science Program Grants Open

Round 3 of the Australian Space Science Program is now open for applications. Applications are due by 3pm (AEST) Thursday 26 August 2010.

Two Application Information Sessions are planned as follows.

Melbourne - 10.00am, Friday 23 July
The University of Melbourne
Room 115 (Level 1)
Economics and Commerce Building
Perth - 10.00am, Monday 2 August
Curtin University of Technology
Resources and Chemistry Building (Building 500)
Townsing Drive, Bentley

Incidently, I have heard from several people that competition continues to be quite strong for the ASSP applications, so for all those applying for Round 3 - good luck!

For further information, head here.

Richard Marles MP checks on Hypersonics Progress

Parliamentary Secretary for Innovation and Industry Richard Marles MP visited The University of Queensland on July 14, to check on progress on the hypersonics program that was successful in receiving $5Million in funding through the 1st round of the Australian Space Research Program.

The program will include a scramjet flight experiment - called SCRAMSPACE I, travelling at Mach 8. The experiment is anticipated for late 2012. In addition, the University of Queensland will be testing different scramjet concepts at their hypersonic wind tunnel, right up to Mach 14.

The project consortium includes many of the worlds leading institutions in Hypersonics, including the Uni of Qld, Uni of Adelaide, Uni of NSW, Uni of Southern Qld, and the University of Minnesota.

Perhaps more importantly, the consortium also includes the Germany DLR, Japanese JAXA, Italian CIRA and Australia's DSTO, along with industry partners including Teakle Composites, AIMTEK and BAE Systems Australia.

Perhaps most importantly, the program will be training world class students in the hypersonics field, and cement Australia's position as one of the leading countries.

Good luck guys!

NBNCo looking for a Manager for the Satellite Service Centre in Sydney

For those of you who are interested, NBNCo is currently advertising for a Manager for the Satellite Service Centre in Sydney.

For more information, head here.

NBNCo to Spend $1B Australian on 2 Ka Band Comms Satellites

On July 14th, NBNCo announced that they would be spending $1 Billion Australian to Build, Launch and Operate 2 Ka-Band Communications Satellites to service the needs of Australians who cannot cost effectively receive other communications services.

NBNCo CEO Mike Quigley indicated that that NBNCo had decided on two Ka-Band Satellites due to the lack of viable alternatives in Australia, as well as the need for redundancy for such a critical network.

NBNCo went on to indicate that they intend to cover the whole of the Australian continent with satellite broadband, to serve both those in remote areas, as well as those who live near capital cities, but who are unable to have either a cost effective fibre connection, or where wireless is unreliable due to terrain. The aim is to provide a 12 megabits-per-second download speed, dramatically improving current services provided to rural Australia. NBNCo is also looking at two, very close orbital slots, to allow users to change between satellites without moving their ground antenna.

Australia has long been considered ideal for Ka-Band satellite, as rain is not as greater issue as other locations, and population density is relatively low.

Now we wait to see which companies have made the NBNCo shortlist for the Satellite component.

Indigo Telecom starts in Australia

A brand new satellite telecommunications company has launched in Australia to provide satellite mobile voice and data services to the entire Australian continent.

Indigo Telecom has opened a customer care facility, and plans to open a network operations centre in Brisbane within the next six months.

Indigo Telecom will use Thuraya's geostationary L-band communications satellites and anticipate an Australian market of around 1,000,000 potential subscribers.

The enter the market with two phones on offer, and one Satellite modem capable of 384kbps.