Photo by Carl M Davies

BREAKING NEWS! ANU InSpace hosted industry, academia, and the ACT Government for three fantastic announcements this morning.
 
The ACT Government launched their ACT Space Update 2023, which acknowledges Canberra's long history of space mission success and focuses on establishing Canberra as Australia’s gateway to space.

Two new research projects have been announced, co-funded by SmartSat CRC and the ACT Government:
OzFuel: The ANU Institute of Space and its partners will receive $1.3 million to contribute to the Resilience Mission, with the development of OzFuel, a space-based sensor platform that will assist in bushfire prevention, detection, mitigation and resilience. Congratulations to Marta Yebra and Rob Sharp as ANU Project Leads.
Smart Multi-modal Optical Surveillance System (SMOS): UNSW Canberra and its partners will receive $700,000 to develop SMOS to help respond to the risks of an increasing number of space objects in Low Earth Orbit.

Two SmartSat-backed Professorial Chairs have been appointed at ANU:
Professor Hanna Kurniawati, Professorial Chair for System Autonomy, Intelligence and Decision Making
Professor Kirk McKenzie, Professorial Chair of Precision Measurement in Space.

ANU Institute for Space Director Professor Anna Moore said, “ANU InSpace is delighted to be working with SmartSat CRC and the ACT Government on a range of projects that lift our sovereign manufacturing sector and solve some of society’s greatest challenges, including climate change adaptation.”
 
Associate Professor Marta Yebra, ANU Fenner School of Environment and Society, said, "The OzFuel instrument is set to make a big difference in how we manage bushfires, from planning to response. Its unique capability to monitor landscape flammability not only helps our space industry grow, but also makes Australia an important part of the global observing system. It's not just about technology development; we're working on reducing risks and building a safer future."

Read the ACT Government press release

What a fantastic morning! Thank you to Sarah Free of the ACT Government for orchestrating this event, to Chief Minister Andrew Barr for your warm remarks and your support, and to Andy Koronios, CEO of SmartSat CRC, for your continued commitment to space research and innovation.