A multi-sensor space observatory to detect, track and monitor space objects will be built in remote South Australia.
The observatory will be the first of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere and will provide critical data for Australian and international space users to help them track space traffic in low earth orbit and geosynchronous orbit.
South Australian company Silentium Defence today announced it will lead the project in collaboration with Western Sydney University after being awarded A$1.46 million in Australian Federal Government funds.
Works are due to commence on the observatory by September 2020 with a target date for completion, operation and data collection beginning in July 2021.
“South Australia is the ideal location for an observatory of this kind, uniquely positioned on the cusp of one of the world’s few Dark Sky Reserves,” said Silentium Defence CEO Dr James Palmer.
