ANU Institute for Space | InSpace’s work supporting The Australian National University researcher's applications for grants also involves working with other great organisations and for us the NSW Space Research Network is one such place. Our strategic project manager Natasha Disha wanted to highlight the New South Wales Space Research Network (SRN) most recent support with our Australia's Economic Accelerator (AEA) Ignite application, which secured round two funding enabling strong, connected space research capability across NSW and the ACT.

ChronoPhase: Picometer Differential Metrology at Low Power for Space will develop and test an engineering prototype of an inter-satellite ranging system, advancing the technology from early-stage research toward mission-ready capability.

Led by Chathura B. Bandutunga and Mike Ireland, the project aims to mature this breakthrough metrology system into a form that meets real mission requirements, with the goal of inclusion in a future Japanese space telescope mission and, ultimately, flight demonstration.

It is also fantastic to see Platypus Research & Development involved as the Partner Organisation under the AEA Ignite program, strengthening the industry–research collaboration essential for translating advanced photonics and precision metrology into deployable space systems.

Photo: Chathura B. Bandutunga and Mike Ireland and the team in the lab.