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AI & Cyber Resiliency
Experts from UNSW Canberra Space are pioneering AI frameworks that enhance satellite networks with real-time resilience and autonomous defence. In collaboration with the Cyber Security institute, this system will help satellites detect, anticipate, and neutralize evolving cyber threats, ensuring secure and uninterrupted space operations.
This AI environment is capable of simulating satellite constellations with an operations interface for testing and feasibility analysis of space missions, using feedback and reinforcement learning to enhance AI capabilities.
Satellite Operations
Formation Flying
UNSW Canberra Space is a world pioneer in atmospheric drag-based orbit control for small satellites. By changing the orientation of our satellites, we change the amount of drag from the Earth’s outer atmosphere.
When doing this, we can change the distance between our satellites and fly them very close to each other (within hundreds of meters). This capability significantly contributed to international space domain awareness research by pushing the limits of ground sensors such as antennas and telescopes.
Plasma Thrusters
Plasmas are the fourth state of matter and consist of a “soup” of positively and negatively charged particles. By using electrical power from a spacecraft, a plasma can be created from stored propellant to generate thrust. UNSW is developing a new propulsion technology that can operate with different propellants, such as water, turning it into a 10,000°C plasma exhaust for efficient spacecraft manoeuvring.
Space Domain Awareness
Satellite Tracking
Space is getting crowded. With more than 7,560 active satellites in Earth’s orbit, and over 20,000 natural objects and inactive satellites, active tracking and management of space is crucial to maintain the future access to space. UNSW Canberra Space has attracted more than $3 million in funding and developed a substantial capability in tracking, analysing and monitoring spacecraft. Additionally, we are working directly with national and international institutions to develop ideas to form future space traffic management schemes.
Asteroid Tracking
Potentially hazardous asteroids come in close vicinity of Earth from time to time. An impact of the asteroid on Earth or with spacecraft in Earth’s orbit can be disastrous.
UNSW Canberra Space detect and track asteroids using telescopes, radioastronomy, and NASA’s Deep space Communication Complex (DSCC) facilities to improve our understanding of the composition and trajectory of these asteroids.
Space Mission Engineering
UNSW Canberra Space has the unique experience of developing and operating 4 small satellite missions (see below).UNSW Canberra Space also operates the Australian National Concurrent Design Facility (ANCDF); a world-class satellite mission design facility where satellite experts quickly assess the feasibility of a mission idea. To date, 26 missions have been analysed.
Education
Lift off your career at UNSW Canberra!
From undergraduate degrees through to PhD research, students learn from Australia’s largest team of space scientists and engineers at the biggest university space capability in the country.
Whether you look to start your university journey via a civilian undergraduate degree, rapidly upskill to refocus your career via one of our Space Masters programs, or to push the boundaries with PhD research in engineering, science, AI, or humanities, UNSW Canberra Space offers a suite of education programs and modes tailored to fit your life.
Space Weather
We use sophisticated simulations to understand natural and man-made changes to Earth’s upper atmosphere. These variations can have profound impacts on satellites, radio, radar, and navigation systems.
Space Governance and Policy
Space is not just about the technology we use to travel and operate there. The first steps to any space effort are always a decision to go there, to fund a particular endeavour, and to communicate its importance to the public. Even when we get there, space activities reflect our interests here on earth, our national strategies and policies, and are governed by international law and norms.
How we act in space is also a reflection of our national values and our ethical concerns. At UNSW Canberra, we undertake research and education about the policy and governance of space activities alongside the technical and engineering aspects. We use strategy, policy, law, ethics and history to support the Australia’s space activities, and broader global efforts to ensure a safe and secure space environment.
