UNSW Canberra Space

The Space to Create a Better Earth

UNSW Canberra Space is a leader in the field of advanced intelligent satellite systems, developing and providing space and artificial intelligence research, technology and education to help meet national and global needs. These needs include secure communications, environmental monitoring, data collection during extreme weather events and bushfires, maritime surveillance and mitigating space congestion risks.  

UNSW Canberra Space has forged relationships with Government, Defence and the international space community, positioning itself as a trusted partner that can meaningfully contribute to Australia’s emerging space capabilities. UNSW Canberra is educating the next generation of space professionals in this rapidly growing sector. Students have the opportunity to learn from real space missions and engage with a team who are leading the way.

Our Team

We are the largest team of space scientists and engineers in Australia. From highly skilled professionals with significant international experience to talented rising stars, our team is the key to the success of UNSW Canberra Space.

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Our Facilities

Our facilities enable UNSW Canberra Space to design, develop and operate satellite missions from start to finish. They include Australia’s first dedicated space mission concurrent engineering design facility, allowing engineers and scientists to rapidly determine the technical and economic viability of proposed space missions.

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Our Research

The ability to routinely and rapidly develop end-to-end missions, advanced artificial intelligence for space, and the science that underpins Space Situational Awareness, drives UNSW Canberra Space’s unique research program that can innovate to create impact and address real-world problems.

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Our Missions

UNSW Canberra Space has a number of satellite missions in the works. These include the Buccaneer Risk Mitigation Mission, which was launched in partnership with Defence Science and Technology Group, and four satellites across three missions in collaboration with the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). The latter missions are designed to demonstrate the art of the possible for Australian space technologies, and to grow UNSW Canberra Space’s capabilities which in turn inform our space education delivery.

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Buccaneer Risk Mitigation Mission

The first UNSW Canberra Space satellite, a joint mission with the Australian Government’s Defence Science and Technology Group, was launched in 2017.

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M1

M1 was the first in a series of satellites commissioned by the RAAF, continuing the partnership between UNSW Canberra Space and Defence.

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M2 Pathfinder

M2 Pathfinder is developing flight heritage for critical in-house satellite technologies for missions such as M2, including demonstrating the ability of an onboard software-defined radio to operate and be reconfigured while in orbit.

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M2

M2 is a twin-satellite mission and our first mission utilising formation flying. Both satellites are equipped with advanced radios and telescopes for maritime surveillance demonstrations, as well as inter-satellite communications and a number of science experiments.

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Learn With Us

When the next generation of space professionals are educated at UNSW Canberra, they learn in the context of real space missions and learn from leaders in the Australian space industry. From short courses to masters degrees and PhD research projects, find out how you can launch your career in this rapidly growing industry.

Postgraduate  Coursework & Professional Education

Our postgraduate courses will help put you on the right path for a rewarding career in space. We offer the following programs:

We can also tailor aspects of these programs to deliver professional short courses that suit the needs of your organisation.

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Postgraduate Research & PhD Openings

Our postgraduate research degrees provide the opportunity to work with leading academics in your chosen field. A number of exciting PhD opportunities in the science and technology that underpins space operations and in the application of AI to space are available. You will work with the UNSW Canberra Space team and help contribute to Australia’s growing space industry.

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Latest News

31 May 2023

UNSW NEWSROOM: Australian Space Awards recognise UNSW innovators

UNSW staff and alumni have received honours at the fourth annual Australian Space Awards.
01 Dec 2022

Young Space Explorers event developing Australia’s growing space industry

With the recent launches of NASA’s Artemis I and SpaceX’s CRS-26 missions, space is certainly a hot topic and the Young Space Ex
04 Aug 2022

Leap-frog space technology: M2 satellite mission delivers Australia’s first high-res Earth observation image

A UNSW Canberra Space satellite mission, known as M2, is now delivering Australia’s first high-resolution remote sensing image of the Earth.