Australian Centre for Space Engineering Research opens at UNSW

 The University of New South Wales has launched the Australian Centre for Space Engineering Research (ACSER), using funding from an Australian Space Research Program round 2 grant.

The ACSER will look at developing technologies for Navigation, Earth Observation, Security and space vehicle engineering. It will also help develop and sustain Australian space capabilities and skills, and will play a crucial role in helping develop the Australian Space Industry as a whole. The centre was officially opened by former NASA shuttle astronaut Dr Jan Davis on the 22nd of November. 

ACSER Director, Associate Professor Andrew Dempster, has also written an interesting opinion piece that has been published in Fairfax newspapers last week which can be found here highlighting how Australia was relying on the China National Space Administration for bushfire imagery during the Victorian Bushfires in 2009.