iLAuNCH Trailblazer

The iLAuNCH Trailblazer is set to revolutionise satellite communications in its newest project that will develop technologies to give Australians faster and more affordable access to data. In collaboration with The Australian National University, Optus and Leonardo UK, this project will build smaller, lower cost laser communications ground stations designed to bypass the radio bottleneck. Optical satellite communication technology has the potential to significantly increase data transmission rates, enabling a substantial increase in data return directly to Earth. Once in operation, these compact, low-cost ground stations and miniaturised, low-power onboard terminals will make high-speed downlink-to-Earth communications commercially viable. As part of this project, two PhD positions will be supported, view here: https://lnkd.in/g4y6-2V6 and https://lnkd.in/gyM5Emng Learn more about this groundbreaking project here: https://lnkd.in/g2nkJVCk Pictured: ANU team Marcus Birch, Kate Ferguson, Michael Copeland, Elisa Jager and Francis Bennet inside Mount Stromlo Observatory in Canberra. Australia's Economic Accelerator (AEA) | The iLAuNCH Trailblazer is a collaborative partnership led by the University of Southern Queensland alongside The Australian National University and the University of South Australia, supported by the Australian Government Department of Education. | #iLAuNCH #Space #Satellites #AustralianSpace

Team work makes the dream work! Well done to all the teams that made this happen, Southern Launch, Varda Space Industries, Rocket Lab, iLAuNCH Trailblazer, Silentium Defence and countless others. Together we made history....

Ahead of International Women’s Day tomorrow, iLAuNCH are celebrating the incredible women driving innovation in space! 🚀✨ Pictured here are just a few of the brilliant women involved in numerous iLAuNCH projects and operations, leading research, advancing technology and shaping Australia’s future in space. A huge thank you to all the women who work with iLAuNCH Trailblazer to push boundaries and inspire the next generation. Australia's Economic Accelerator (AEA) Milica Symul (iLAuNCH), Annie Handmer (PhD), Stella Shi, Cherry Chen (CSIRO), Rosalind Dubs (iLAuNCH), Dr. Joni Sytsma (iLAuNCH), Kate Ferguson (ANU), Kate Greenfield (UniSA), Kavanna Trewavas (iLAuNCH), 🌟 MJ Akter (Spiral Blue), Veronica Bainton, Jacqui Tyack (Australian Space Diversity Alliance), Liana Sellam McMillan (Spiral Blue) #WomenInSpace #IWD #IWD25 #InspireInclusion #iLAuNCH The iLAuNCH Trailblazer is a collaborative partnership between the University of Southern Queensland, The Australian National University and the University of South Australia, supported by the Australian Government Department of Education.

The iLAuNCH Trailblazer is collaborating with HEO, ANT61 and The Australian National University on a groundbreaking project to improve satellite tracking! 🛰 Currently, radar and non-resolved optical observations offer limited precision, particularly in distinguishing satellites on similar orbital paths. This project will demonstrate a scalable solution that improves identification accuracy and enhances space situational awareness. This project will introduce an infrared "licence plate" beacon attached to a demonstrator satellite. This beacon will emit near-infrared light, which can be detected by ground-based telescopes across the globe. This initiative underscores Australia’s growing capabilities in space situational awareness and satellite tracking, reinforcing its position as a leader in cutting-edge space technologies. Read more about this project here: https://lnkd.in/gFYjsJZT The iLAuNCH Trailblazer is a collaborative partnership between University of Southern Queensland, The Australian National University and University of South Australia supported by the Australian Government Department of Education. Australia's Economic Accelerator (AEA) | ANU Institute for Space | InSpace | Project led by Tony Travouillon | #iLAuNCH #Trailblazers #SpaceInnovation #SatelliteTracking #AustralianSpace

Congratulations to our industry partner Southern Launch and their mission partners Varda Space Industries and Rocket Lab on successfully completing the first commercial spacecraft re-entry to Australia at Southern Launch’s Koonibba Test Range. The Varda Space Industries W-2 capsule safely returned to Earth, carrying payloads for the United States Air Force Research Laboratory and NASA as part of a dual-purpose mission. The iLAuNCH Trailblazer team at the University of Southern Queensland was proud to support this landmark mission, contributing cutting-edge airborne imagery for analysis during re-entry. This project highlights the growing capabilities of Australia’s space sector and the critical role of advanced imaging in space missions. Read more - https://lnkd.in/gJMJT4qk Image 1: UniSQ Associate Professor Fabian Zander. Image 2: The W-2 capsule as it re-entered the Earth’s atmosphere, supplied by Southern Launch. Image 3: The W-2 capsule after it touched down at the Koonibba Test Range, supplied by Southern Launch. Australia's Economic Accelerator (AEA) #iLAuNCH #Trailblazers #SpaceCraft #ReEntry #AustralianSpace

Want to learn more about Adelaide's role in space? University of South Australia iLAuNCH lead, Industry Professor Colin Hall, will be speaking about a number of exciting Adelaide based iLAuNCH projects at CEDA - Committee for Economic Development of Australia's Power Start Breakfast. Join Professor Colin Hall and Professor Kevin Farries (University of Adelaide) on 5 March for a discussion on these exciting projects and how they will create new jobs & contribute to Adelaide’s role in the space race. Date - Wednesday 05 March, 2025 Times - 7:30am to 9:00am Location - Lot Fourteen, Adelaide Register here - https://lnkd.in/gpkc5ZkE Australia's Economic Accelerator (AEA) #Trailblazers #AusSpace #AustralianSpace #SpaceResearch #SpaceProjects #Adelaide

Do you want to work on an iLAuNCH Trailblazer project? 🚀⭐ University of Southern Queensland's (UniSQ) Hypersonics and Rocketry Group is looking for a Research Fellow to join their team on the “Development of an AI/ML-enabled space surveillance mission for hypersonic missile defense” project. Applications close Thursday, 27 February 2025. Find out more: https://lnkd.in/grXCAwYa UniSQ School of Engineering | University of Southern Queensland Australia's Economic Accelerator (AEA) #ResearchFellow #Hypersonics #Rocketry #IAESS #AeroThermodynamics

The iLAuNCH team spoke with passionate innovators, researchers, entrepreneurs and industry leaders yesterday as an Innovation Collaborator at CSIRO's ON Core 2025. Through inspiring keynotes and hands-on collaboration, it was a fantastic event sharing ideas, sparking new connections and exploring the future of innovation. If you want to join this outstanding network of innovators and take your research further - applications for the next ON Prime program are open now until 26 February 2025! Find out more and apply now: https://lnkd.in/djdgjbhD Australia's Economic Accelerator (AEA) | CSIRO Darin Lovett Hunter Walkenhorst GAICD Dr. Joni Sytsma Kavanna Trewavas #OnCore2025 #Technology #Innovation

iLAuNCH Chief Operating Officer, Milica Symul, had the pleasure of joining two panels at the ADM Space Summit today. The first was around building a future-ready space sector workforce, alongside the fantastic Kelly Barlow (EMA Advisory), Portia Wolf (SPA) and Raoul Heinrichs (SES Satellites). The second was an engaging session around future space technologies. Milica shared her excitement for a number of iLAuNCH Trailblazer projects currently underway, including the AI health monitoring device. She shared her insights alongside Peter Kerr (SmartSat CRC) and Ben Sorensen (EPE. Trusted To Protect). Adam Gilmour (Gilmour Space Technologies) also shared his insights on success which strongly align with the iLAuNCH Trailblazer mission. Priorities we champion include reducing Australia’s reliance on foreign nations for key technologies, investing in future capability now and backing Australian companies to stay and grow. Australia's Economic Accelerator (AEA) Darin Lovett Milica Symul #ADMSpaceSummit #SpaceTech #SpaceAustralia #ADMEvents

This Thursday, 20 February, iLAuNCH will be attending CSIRO's ON Core 2025 event at the Brisbane Powerhouse as an innovation collaborator! ON Core is the flagship event of CSIRO’s ON Innovation Program, bringing together Australia’s deep tech research innovators and industry leaders to learn, share and celebrate the profound impact of Australian research shaping a better future for everyone. Find out more - https://lnkd.in/g8G8hXnR We hope to see you there! Tennille Eyre Poppy Sykes Josh Pitt Penny Harth Phoebe Jackson Morison Siobhán Rees Dr. Joni Sytsma Hunter Walkenhorst GAICD | Australia's Economic Accelerator (AEA) #ONInnovationProgram #ONCore