QUT researchers have helped Australia blast back into space research by playing key roles in the development of the FedSat satellite, which was launched successfully from Japan on Saturday (December 14).
The launch, aboard Japan's National Space Development Agency's (NASDA) H-IIA rocket, occurred in perfect weather conditions at the Tanegashima Space Centre, 900km south-west of Tokyo.
QUT researchers Professor Miles Moody, Dr Anwar Dawood and Dr Rodney Walker, who lead the teams responsible for FedSat's global positioning systems and high-performance computing experiment, were at NASDA as the rocket blasted off at more than 3,000km/hour.
The initial stages of the mission were declared successful after FedSat was deployed into orbit 31 minutes after launch, and began communicating with its groundstation in Adelaide about 10 hours later.
Dr Walker, who will begin FedSat's GPS work next month, said he was delighted at the launch success, and was now looking forward to the next stages.
"Seeing something you've worked on literally taken out of your hands and sent into space is an amazing thing to watch," Dr Walker said.
"Now, the focus for us turns to commissioning our experiments and beginning research which will start to happen in a few weeks time."
QUT's research on-board FedSat has the potential to help future weather forecasting, and contribute to the development of better satellite computing systems and regional telecommunications.
Executive director of FedSat's creator, the Cooperative Research Centre for Satellite Systems (CRCSS), Dr Brian Embleton congratulated the teams of researchers who have worked on FedSat for the past five years.
"FedSat is the first Australian-built satellite in more than three decades, and seeing it launched successfully has been a tremendous experience for the researchers across Australia who have worked so tirelessly on this project," Dr Embleton said.
"This is the dawn of a new era for space engagement in Australia."
The CRCSS is a collaboration involving the following core partners: CSIRO; University of South Australia; Queensland University of Technology; University of Technology, Sydney; Auspace Ltd; Vipac Engineers and Scientists; and University of Newcastle.
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For more information call Dr Walker on 07 3864 1772 or Margaret Lawson on 07 3864 2130 or 0419 643 243.
Professional, high-resolution graphics of FedSat in action are available on request.
