Two new space radars constructed by LeoLabs Australia near Collie will soon be part of a global network creating a safer, more sustainable space environment.
LeoLabs Australia announced today that it has, with its local industry partner C.E.M. Alliance and sub-contractors, completed construction of the West Australian Space Radar (WASR).
The WASR is the company’s first space radar site in Australia and sixth worldwide. Once operational testing is complete, the WASR site will add significant capacity to LeoLab’s growing radar surveillance of low Earth orbit.
Low Earth orbit refers to a satellite orbiting Earth at an altitude of 2,000 kilometres or less. Founded in the United States of America in 2016, LeoLabs is the world’s only commercial provider of space surveillance radar data.
This radar data is used by the international space industry for rocket launch tracking, tracking and monitoring of satellites and spacecraft, collision avoidance, mapping of space debris, and risk assessment.
The establishment of WASR supports the growth of WA’s space industry capability and promotes the State as a significant global location for space communications and surveillance.
WASR adds another dimension to the State’s rapidly growing space capabilities, which already includes ground-based space communications, space situational awareness, Earth observation and insights, and world-leading remote operations, automation and robotics.
Since 2020, the WA Government has invested more than $40 million in the State’s space industry.
The completion of work on the WASR coincides with construction beginning on the world’s largest radio telescope, the Square Kilometre Array Observatory, in the Murchison.
“Congratulations to LeoLabs Australia on this significant milestone. LeoLabs Australia’s construction of WASR near Collie is a prime example of the State’s geographical significance in space communications and surveillance.” said Western Australian Science Minister Roger Cook.
“WASR highlights how our regional communities can benefit from the growth of our space industry, with local companies contributing significantly to the construction of the radar. WA’s space industry is developing rapidly with a growing international reputation. More than 100 international and Australian organisations operating space and space-related services now call WA home.” concluded Minister Cook.
