Three Brand-New Satellites from Australia Launched into Space
Three Australian CubeSat satellites have recently been launched into space, marking a significant advancement in the country’s space industry. The satellites, named Kanyini, Waratah Seed, and GUAVA-2, were sent into orbit on August 17 as part of SpaceX’s Transporter-11 mission from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. This launch was the result of collaboration between government entities, universities, and Australian space businesses.
Kanyini, originating from South Australia, is equipped to study crop health, forestry, and water management in both inland and coastal areas. According to Stephen Mullighan, the South Australian state minister for defense and space industries, there is anticipation for Kanyini to facilitate the development of innovative Australian space technologies.
Waratah Seed, developed in New South Wales, incorporates cutting-edge technologies from five different space-related start-ups. Additionally, CUAVA-2, another creation from NSW, is designed to assist in data gathering for agriculture, forestry, coastal, and urban areas, along with providing information on water hazards and mineral exploration.
CubeSats, a category of nanosatellites with a standard size and form factor, were first introduced in the United States in 1999. These satellites have revolutionized scientific space research by offering more cost-effective options and advanced mission capabilities. The size of CubeSats varies based on the number of stacked cubes within the satellite.
In a separate achievement, three CubeSats developed by Curtin University successfully reached the International Space Station after launching from Australia. These satellites, named Binar 2, 3, and 4, were launched from NASA’s Kennedy Space Centre in Florida and eventually docked on the ISS. Professor Phil Bland from John Curtin University described this milestone as “mind-blowing”, emphasizing how it signifies WA’s growing presence in space exploration.
Looking to the future, the Australian Space Agency plans to send the nation’s first lunar rover, named Roo-ver, to the Moon later in the decade.
