The Australian space agency has hit another milestone with the successful launch of the M2 Pathfinder satellite.
The M2 Pathfinder, a collaboration between UNSW Canberra Space researchers and engineers and the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), follows the launch of M1 in late 2018. It is the second of four cube satellites to be flown in the program.
The launch took place on Rocket Lab’s “Don’t Stop Me Now” 12th mission from New Zealand’s Māhia Peninsula on June 13.
Successful communication with the satellite has been established via UNSW Canberra Space’s satellite ground station hosted by Cingulan Space, near Yass in NSW.
Testing home-grown communication technologies
UNSW Canberra Space Director Professor Russell Boyce says M2 Pathfinder is an important mission for Canberra as it would test home-grown communications architecture and other satellite technologies, which would assist in informing the future space capabilities of Australia.
“The know-how and expertise that has gone into the project cements the leadership position of UNSW Canberra Space in developing Australian intelligent space capabilities and boosting the national high tech skills pipeline,” Boyce says.
Small, low-cost satellites like M2 Pathfinder provide a unique opportunity to support Australia’s Defence and national security capabilities and to expand the Australian space industry.
“Space systems will be integral in solving the challenges our world will face in the future, for example assisting with resource management, secure communications, and data collection during extreme weather events.
“Australia has a role to play in solving these problems, both for our own economic security and as responsible global citizens. UNSW Canberra Space looks forward to leading the way, particularly in equipping Australian satellites with artificial intelligence to better meet user needs for rapid access to information,” Boyce says.
From exhaustive testing to launch
UNSW Canberra Space’s senior space systems engineer and M2 Pathfinder Mission Lead Andrin Tomaschett says M2 Pathfinder was designed, assembled and tested in just 10 months by Australia’s largest and most experienced space mission team.
“Our spacecraft development includes a rigorous approach to testing prior to launch. From severe space environmental simulations at The Australian National University National Space Test Facility, to exhaustive testing of all software and hardware combinations, we have put this satellite through its paces, and are looking forward to a successful mission,” Tomaschett says.
UNSW Canberra Rector Michael Frater says the mission for UNSW Canberra Space is to develop space research, technology and education that helps meet national and international needs and opportunities.
The space missions would also deliver research and educational outcomes for Defence and civilian students studying engineering at UNSW Canberra, forming an important part of building our space capability for the future.
“These CubeSats are the perfect example of how UNSW Canberra Space is using its skills and expertise to provide Australia with practical solutions,” Frater says.
This article was first published on Australia’s Science Channel, the original news platform of The Royal Institution of Australia.
